UK village sinks: Homes lost to the sea

The village of Hemsby in Norfolk is experiencing severe coastal erosion, leading to the loss of homes and livelihoods as the coastline recedes at an alarming rate. Properties, once valuable, are now being abandoned as cliffs collapse into the sea, a situation tragically familiar to residents of Fakes Road. Despite the visible signs of destruction and grim predictions, some individuals are still purchasing properties in Hemsby, aware that their investments are a gamble against the encroaching sea.

Newcomers like Martin Wiggins, who bought a £125,000 bungalow just two months ago, are now living yards from the cliff edge. Similarly, Simon and Genevieve Measures purchased their home in 2021 for £190,000, facing daily erosion and uncertain futures. Many residents, including the chairman of Save Hemsby Coastline, have no contingency plans as they measure their remaining time in storms rather than years.

The value of properties along the most affected roads, Fakes Road and The Marrams, is now highly subjective, with some homes selling for as little as £9,000. While some argue for transparency with a caveat for buyers to see the eroding coast themselves, the fundamental problem of homes being lost to the sea remains. The community is demanding support as they face the relentless advance of the ocean.