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Hemsby home on the edge of a cliff sold to buyer

Hemsby home on the edge of a cliff sold to buyer

BBC News16-07-2025
A chalet at risk of falling on to a beach has been snapped up by a keen buyer, despite its limited lifespan. The timber-framed white property is just feet from the sea at the Marrams in Hemsby, Norfolk - an area that is badly affected by coastal erosion.It went on the market for offers in excess of £10,000 and has been sold subject to contract. However, the agents and owner have remained tight-lipped on the final sale price. Neighbour Carol Boyes, who once lived in the house with her late husband, said: "My way of looking at it is if you get a few years out of it, it's worth it; it's paid for itself in that time. Or if you rent it out for however many weeks, it's being looked after."
Mrs Boyes added: "If they get three years out of it, or longer, it's better than nothing."[If] it's being used, it's being looked after and it's not going to rack and ruin."
Simon Measures, who lives nearby, said the property had been rented to holidaymakers for about five years before being put on the market.He said: "I'm very pleased for the owner of the property, they've managed to sell it and the potential buyers have bought it on the understanding that it's potentially just a holiday let for a very short period of time."As long as they're happy, it's not their main residence and they haven't sunk all their money into it, it's a great place to be."As chairman of Save Hemsby Coastline, a charity that has campaigned for rock defences and compensation for residents affected by coastal erosion, he said the sale might offer limited hope to full-time residents fearful of losing their homes.He added: "It does give some hope to residents who live here that there is some equity [in their properties], but it is easier to sell as a holiday home rather than a main home."If we could walk away with £10,000, it's still not enough for most residents here to get a deposit on somewhere else to live, and £10,000 to £15,000 would cover rent for just over a year, and then what?"It's bleak for people who live here, many of whom are retired, and have no idea where they're going to go."
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