Home / Disasters and Accidents / Homes slide into sea as coast crumbles
Homes slide into sea as coast crumbles
7 Nov
Summary
- Two recent property buyers face losing homes to coastal erosion.
- Nine properties in Newport, Norfolk are at risk.
- Council urges owners to vacate homes due to safety risks.
Two individuals who recently purchased homes in Newport, Norfolk, are now facing the imminent threat of their properties being lost to coastal erosion. Both properties were bought within the last three months. The hamlet of Newport, south of Hemsby, has seen significant coastal land loss.
Nine properties are currently identified as being at high risk. Great Yarmouth Borough Council has strongly advised homeowners to vacate their residences due to safety concerns. One property investor bought a terraced cottage for £60,000 in September, significantly below its previous sale price. A retiree, aged 64, purchased a cottage and annexe for £145,000 in August, anticipating it as a retirement investment.
Last winter, Hemsby's dunes experienced erosion equivalent to 50% of the predicted loss for the next 30 years, with over 10 meters of land lost in just over a year. Since December 2025, 41 properties have been demolished due to erosion. While no compensation scheme exists, a trial relocation scheme is available. The council is facilitating the purchase of planning rights to enable relocation for properties at immediate risk.
