Defra minister Richard Benyon during a visit to Happisburgh

North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb will lead a delegation to Westminster to explain community concerns over a restrictive conservation regime to environment minister Richard Benyon.

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Natural England’s controversial proposals to create a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) to preserve the wildlife and habitats across Blakeney saltmarshes have been staunchly opposed by many residents and coastal visitors.

They fear the proposals, which include no-go Reference Areas (RAs) where human activity could be banned or severely curtailed, could interfere with traditional uses of Blakeney marshes and harbour.

Natural England said RAs would be very small, highly-protected sites set aside for marine life to recover “unimpacted by human activities,” which opponents say could limit sailing, walking, samphire picking, bait digging, shooting and fishing.

Mr Lamb said he was pleased to have been given the opportunity to put those concerns to Defra minister Mr Benyon at the meeting in London, which is due to take place on March 7.

“These proposals have attracted an astonishing level of public opposition,” he said. “More than a hundred people have written to me criticising the proposals, which are also being opposed by Blakeney Parish Council and the National Trust. “I am glad that we will now have a chance to make our arguments directly to the minister, and I hope that common sense will finally prevail.”

Marie Strong, a county councillor for Wells, said the “considerable concern” she had heard from parish councils and residents included doubts over the research behind the proposals.

“Flawed or not it is more than apparent that the key stakeholders for this area were not consulted. It is suggested that concerned parties wait until the public consultation takes place later this year. Waiting will only give rise to greater frustration and will I believe cause embarrassment to all concerned.”

In a recent letter to the minister, the National Trust claimed the proposed MCZ is “compromising the good name of nature conservation on the Norfolk Coast.” Mr Benyon, the minister responsible for coastal access and conservation announced, in November that “there are a number of gaps and limitations in the scientific evidence base supporting the MCZ recommendations”.