08-07-2025
Coastal erosion plan to rehome 'high-risk' Hemsby households in £1.6m project
A pilot scheme could help rehome 30 households in a seaside village who are at risk from coastal erosion.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) has proposed investing £1.6m in developing a project to provide new housing for people living in Hemsby, Norfolk.
It is one of the most vulnerable stretches of Norfolk coastline, with many properties expected to become unsafe in the coming years.
Up to 30 homes in high-risk areas in Hemsby could be demolished with the aim of eventually replacing them with new housing built on farmland.
The project would work through the authority procuring land further away from the eroding cliffs before undertaking the necessary surveys and negotiations to secure planning permission.
This will result in the land increasing in value, which, if sold, could help the borough council recover the costs.
Next week, cabinet members at the Conservative-controlled council will be asked to approve the initial £1.6m budget to bring the project to fruition, which will use Resilient Coasts funding from the Environment Agency.
In a report, officers said: 'The aim is for the very first time to give people at high-risk of erosion, choices through financial support, whilst addressing coastal erosion impacts and accommodating coastal adaptation.'
Carl Smith, leader of the council, said the move would allow the council to act 'creatively' to support the community of Hemsby, which has been told new sea defences would be unaffordable.
He said: 'As everyone is aware, our coast is on the frontline of erosion and the effects of climate change.
"To adapt to these changes, we are determined to find solutions that best help the people affected.
'This funding would provide us with a unique opportunity to test and realise meaningful adaptation in Hemsby, including financially supporting and safely relocating residents at very high risk of coastal erosion.'
Councillors will meet to discuss the project on July 15.
