Errr... no, nor me. Surely madness, given how many other reserves could have benefited substantially from that type of money? And what was wrong with the old one? Terminal lack of panini- and latte-making machinery?
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In the grander scheme of things I agree - madness. All about where pots come from. My understanding is they got most of the cash from European Regional Development Fund, the East of England Development Agency and the the DTI Clear Skies Initiative. They're not really conservation funds - more sympathetic rural development funds. As someone who works in conservation, I know it often pays to apply for what you think you can get, rather than what you think actually needs doing unfortunately.
I think the centre itself will be safe for a while, being up on a hill. Just wonder about the road. Environment Agency tend to be quite good at protecting roads and stuff though.
Another interesting angle on it all though is that the Government is legally obliged to maintain the North Norfolk SPA in a favourable status - if they don't they can get done in the European courts and fined shed loads of money. I.e. if it can be demonstrated that sea-level rise will affect designated features of the SPA (i.e. waders & ducks), then EA has to use its compulsory purchase orders to buy other appropriate habitat and have it managed to compensate for loss.
Big project I’m hoping I’m about to embark on soon at BTO which should see major developments on this. Can’t say too much at the mo, except that it would probably be happening already if Natural England hadn’t had their end of year money frozen by Defra. It’s amazing what implications the cock-ups in HLS payments have, but watch this space….
