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Council closely monitoring at risk homes in Hemsby
The high tides in Hemsby over Sunday and Monday have eroded away more of the dunes. Picture: James Bensly - Credit: Archant
Strong winds and high tides have eaten away yet more of the cliff face in Hemsby, with seven cliff face properties at imminent risk.
Umbrellas up in the rain and wind in Norwich. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
A winter of tumultuous weather has pummelled the shore of the village and six properties in The Marrams have previously demolished as they teetered on the verge of falling onto the beach.
The decision was taken in the interest of public safety and now seven more properties are inching towards the same sorry fate.
Officers at Great Yarmouth Borough Council have been continually monitoring the remaining properties to the east of The Marrams, all of which are now unoccupied.
Borough Cllr James Bensly said: “Our thoughts are with the people whose homes are at great risk.
“The lifeboat crews are once again doing a fantastic job.
“After our consultation with lots of agencies working together at the village hall we hope a scheme can be put in place and we can move forward with applying for funding.”
Cllr Carl Smith, the deputy council leader, said the situation is continually changing and is being closely monitored.
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He said: “Last week, following the issue of a yellow weather warning by the Met Office, the council liaised with the seven property owners, plus the landowner and the parish council, to ensure they were all aware of the strong winds and heavy rain forecast for overnight and well into today (Monday).
“The council kept a close eye on the situation over the weekend.
“Early this morning, council officers visited Hemsby at high tide and noted a further loss of cliff material as a result of the bad weather overnight.
“The council will continue to update the owners of all affected properties, who are well aware of the potential of demolition at relatively short notice in order to preserve public safety.
“The public are reminded to stay away from the area to the east of The Marrams road and the beach directly below the cliffs, as these areas remain dangerous.”
The issue of how best to defend the Hemsby coastline is the focus of a £35,000 study, funded by the Environment Agency.
On April 12, a drop-in session was held in the village to allow the community to share their input with councillors and engineers.
A draft report of the findings will be ready in early June and a number of options will then be discussed with villagers.
