Couple's Clifftop Dream Washed Away by Erosion

Phil Merry and Amy Parkinson sold their Nottingham home with dreams of owning a Norfolk campsite. Their chosen site in Trimingham, however, is plagued by significant coastal erosion. Despite deeds suggesting gradual loss, a planning officer reportedly dismissed their building aspirations with laughter, citing the unstable coastline.

The Norfolk coast, particularly Trimingham, is known for its clay and silt cliffs that erode easily. An 18th-century farmhouse previously teetered on the edge before demolition, symbolizing the area's geological instability. This ongoing erosion has claimed numerous properties over two decades.

The couple now faces living in a touring caravan while attempting to resolve the issue, lamenting that they bought land unsuitable for their plans. A district council spokesperson acknowledged that erosion risks aren't always disclosed in sales and advised the couple on potential recourse if they believe they were mis-sold.