Understanding the Coastal Communities of North West England: a Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Socio-Economic & Environmental Issues and Opportunities for Coastal Communities in North West England

In England attention has focussed on the socio-economic status of larger seaside towns, with a Government enquiry into Coastal Towns and associated research1, national research on seaside resorts2 and, in the North West, research underpinning regional tourism and economic policy3. However, smaller and non-resort coastal communities have largely been overlooked, so in 2009 the North West Coastal Forum and 4NW commissioned research4 to address this gap by establishing a baseline picture of the North West region’s coastal communities, their socio-economic and environmental value, issues and opportunities. The research was steered by a range of stakeholder organisations. A representative sample of 47 coastal settlements was agreed with population ranging from under 500 to 705,000. 21 datasets were brought together under the themes of ‘People’, ‘Work ’ and ‘Place’. Analysis of the datasets led to a typology for coastal settlements which was tested with local stakeholders at area-based workshops. The four resulting typologies are: Larger Urban Areas; Maritime Towns; Working Towns by the Sea; Settlements of Choice. This typology fits with, but adds greatly to, the national picture emerging from studies of resort towns. It provides a baseline against which to measure progress and evidence-based policy guidance for each type of community identified. This is important as the national policy focus applies to only one of the diverse settlement types on the North West’s coast. The results of the research have contributed to policy development at a regional5 and local level. Similar methodology can usefully be applied to any geographic region