Houses sit on the cliff edge on The Marrams in Hemsby, Norfolk where parts of the cliff have collapsed into the sea
THE threat of losing dozens of homes to the sea is taking a huge toll on villagers’ mental health, a campaigner has warned.
Climate action group One Home says an estimated £584 million worth of coastal homes in England could be lost to the sea by 2100.
Save Hemsby Coastline chairman Ian Brennan said more than 90 homes in Hemsby, Norfolk, are at risk of going into the sea in the next 25 years if nothing is done.
The 63-year-old said the charity was formed 10 years ago when several homes were lost in a storm surge. It is pressing for sea defences.
“People here are very nervous,” he said. “It takes a huge toll on their mental health.”
He said that 1.1 miles (1.9km) of coast is under threat at Hemsby and the group is seeking permission and funding for rock berm sea defences.
Initial cost estimates for a rock berm was given as £5m, but the sum is increasing.
“Lots of people say: ‘Why are you bothering, you know you can’t stop the sea’,” he said. “But adaptation is possible, and it’s about spending and political will.”
