Lincolnshire - Coastal Economic Model

13th June 2011

In December 2009, Lincolnshire County Council submitted a bid on behalf of partners, towards the DEFRA Coastal Adaptation Pathfinder Initiative. The bid was successful in securing £810k for the delivery of a suite of innovative pilot projects on the Lincolnshire Coast, coordinated through a Steering Group

An element of the bid was to look at Coastal Innovation and Modelling and monies was allocated for the research and delivery of a Coastal Innovation Model for the Lincolnshire Coast.

Lincolnshire County Council commissioned Wood Holmes and Optimal Economics to develop an economic model of the Lincolnshire Coast.

The aims of the project were as follows:

• Generate a better understanding of local businesses, including why businesses locate on the coast and what they need to survive
• Build on established baselines data (such as those developed through the recent coastal study) to provide a more detailed local picture.
• Develop and test alternative options for locating major inward investment and major industry on the coast.
• Establish a clear economic model exemplifying business imperatives

Approach & Outputs

The work was carried out in stages from September 2010, to conclude in June 2011, and have utilised a range of research techniques in order to meet the study objectives.

The objective was to develop a ‘rounded’ economic model of the Lincolnshire Coast along with quantitative and qualitative insights into business and enterprise culture.

The first stage of the research was a comprehensive assessment of existing data sets, previous studies and emerging work in this area. This was combined with a comprehensive stakeholder mapping exercise and visualisation.

Moving beyond this, the project used ethnographic research techniques to generate insights about business and communities along the coast. This involved the gathering of perceptions, stories and attitudinal insight from the businesses located on the coast.

Alongside the ethnographic work a comprehensive business survey was carried out which provided quantitative and qualitative insights into the development of the economic model.

The model has been designed to test a range of ‘scenarios’ relating to economic development, inward investment, climate change adaptation and housing market changes in the coastal region, thereby informing policy makers as to various strategic options.

The outputs, insights and learning from the project will disseminated widely and interested parties within Lincolnshire and the wider UK are encouraged to come forward to engage with the project team

Emerging Outcomes from the research

The research team is developing outcomes from the research and these will be discussed with the group. Early emerging themes include:

•  Business definition of coastal do not align with authority or policy makers definition of the coastal
• Perceived threat of coastal flooding is highest in businesses most closely associated with the coast
• However, the perceived threat is not so great as to restrict investment by the business community
• Investment decisions (of existing businesses) strongly linked to macro- economic conditions and especially perceptions around the ‘age of austerity’

A full report of findings will be available shortly

For further details please contact nicola.radford@lincolnshire.gov.uk

 

 

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