Coastal Defense Plan Threatens Hemsby's £100M Tourism Economy

As of October 6th, 2025, the coastal village of Hemsby, Norfolk is facing a devastating blow to its £100 million tourism economy. Great Yarmouth Borough Council has announced plans to remove the temporary rock defenses that were installed two years ago to protect the village from erosion.

The decision comes after a report revealed that the erosion has actually sped up on either side of the temporary defenses, putting more homes at risk. Simon Measures, from the Save Hemsby Coastline group, says the news has left homeowners feeling "kicked while we're down."

Natasha Hayes, the council's executive director of place, acknowledges the council is "sympathetic" to the homeowners, but explains that the beach is crucial to Hemsby's tourism industry, which supports hundreds of jobs. A permanent coastal defense would "completely decimate" the beach, she warns.

Since 2013, over 25 homes in Hemsby have been demolished or collapsed into the sea due to storm damage and erosion. The council has identified 30 more homes at risk in the next few years, with some residents predicting they have as little as one to five years before their properties are in imminent danger.

The council faces a difficult decision, as the cost of a permanent defense is estimated at £20 million, far exceeding the £2 million in funding available from the Environment Agency. Hemsby's tourism economy and the livelihoods of its residents hang in the balance.