Heartbroken residents of a Norfolk seaside village watched yesterday as demolition teams began tearing down eight clifftop homes, now perilously close to tumbling into the sea due to accelerating coastal erosion.
A Community's Dream Homes Washed Away
The chalets at The Marrams in Hemsby, near Great Yarmouth, are among 11 properties declared to be in imminent danger. This area is one of Europe's worst affected by erosion, having lost an estimated 69 properties to the encroaching sea over the last five decades.
Contractors faced a significant logistical challenge. The access road to the condemned homes was washed away months ago, forcing them to spend two days constructing a ramp from the beach. Using diggers and dumper trucks, they piled hundreds of tons of sand to create a path up the 30ft high cliff. By 2pm yesterday, the ramp was complete, and a digger moved in to demolish the first chalet, left just 9ft from the crumbling edge.
Residents Left Heartbroken and Homeless
For the homeowners, the demolition is a devastating end to a long and anxious battle. Pascal Rose, 52, bought her two-bedroom chalet seven years ago for £80,000. "This place was my absolute dream home," said the former care manager. "I have got so many fantastic memories here... It is very hard to say goodbye."
Ms Rose, who has now registered as homeless and is 'sofa surfing', said she felt "bullied" by the council's relentless warnings. Her agony was compounded when burglars smashed into her emptied chalet last weekend to steal her water tank. "My Christmas is ruined," she added. "I have now lost absolutely everything."
Other residents criticised the timing of the demolition just before Christmas. Retired car dealer Eric Forbes, 80, said council officials refused requests to delay until after the holidays. Carol Boyes, 80, who expects to receive notice to leave her own home soon, stated: "They could have waited longer."
A Losing Battle Against the Sea
Nigel Poulter, 65, whose home is 50ft back from the edge and not currently slated for demolition, watched the works with sadness. "We hope to get another year or two out of it," he said. "But we know we are going to lose it. You can’t beat the sea."
The homeowners of the eight chalets recently agreed to sign over demolition rights to Great Yarmouth Borough Council. This move avoids them being liable for cleanup costs if their properties fell naturally and allows them to retain valuable planning rights as compensation. The council is funding the work upfront but can claim the cost back from the Government.
A council spokesman said the work was unavoidable despite the time of year, citing three named storms since September that pushed the properties to a "critical point." He stated: "It is extremely difficult to see homes lost to coastal erosion but doing nothing is simply not an option." The demolition of the remaining at-risk chalets is expected to continue in the coming days.
