The race to save Thorpeness cliffs: Row of £1million luxury homes facing falling into the North Sea without action
Coastal erosion in the up-market seaside village of Thorpeness in Suffolk is getting worse by the day despite attempts to shore up the sandy cliffs to protect more than a dozen properties from the waves.
Drones are now being used to monitor the crumbling cliffs as long-term plans are made to deal with concerns about 'accelerated' erosion but there are fears that as many as a dozen houses will have to demolished or simply abandoned to the waves.
The local council has launched a survey to decide how to help the worried residents decide what to do - and to prepare the tiny community for the worst.
One of the most at-risk properties is home to 88-year-old Jean Flick who fears her 100-year-old cliff-top home will vanish within a year.
Her daughter Frances Paul said: 'She is already losing her garden and if it gets worse a demolition order will be put on her house.
'The council has put rock filled cages on the beach but they are not having much effect.
'The situation is getting very serious - every time the tide comes in more of the cliffs are washed away.'
The changes to the scenery have already started taking effect in 2022 when a couple had to demolish their £2million home.
Richard Moore, a director at Ipswich Town FC at the time, and his wife Sheila were told by council officials it was unsafe to live in.
The power of the waves has washed away at least 50ft of their back garden in the last 20 months, leaving it just 30ft from the edge of the cliff.
The house, which has spectacular views over the North Sea would have been worth around £2 million if it were not for erosion but it is now worthless.
It is was the first major property in the upmarket village to be effectively lost to the sea since the East Coast floods of 1953.
Mark Packard, East Suffolk council's cabinet member for planning and coastal management, said: 'We have some of the fastest eroding coast in north-west Europe and whilst a certain amount of erosion happens each year, there has been an accelerated rate of erosion at Thorpeness recently.
The local council has launched a survey to decide how to help the worried residents decide what to do - and to prepare the tiny community for the worst
'We are currently supporting a small group of affected residents to explore temporary short-term interventions while plans are explored for a long-term solution.'
'We have met residents affected to outline a management plan and action that we would have to take if the situation reaches critical level.'
Drone photography is now being used to monitor the area and record the rate of erosion and beach movement.
Mr Packard said: 'While we are dealing with the imminent risk to properties, we are also keen to engage the wider community to raise awareness of the issues and ensure people have the opportunity to develop and share ideas on what actions could help Thorpeness prepare for the future impacts of coastal erosion and tidal flooding.'
Meanwhile a pressure group the Thorpeness Community Interest Company has applied for planning permission to install nearly 6,000 tonnes of rock as part of extensions to an existing defences.
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