Those on Norfolk's coastlines feel "worried and trapped", says local campaigner
Almost £600 million worth of UK coastal homes could be lost to the sea by 2100, according to new research
A Norfolk campaigner says those living on our coasts are feeling "worried, trapped and abandoned".
It comes as climate action group One Home has found that almost £600 million worth of coastal homes in England could be lost to the sea by 2100.
"People here are very nervous"
Ian Brennan is chairman of the charity, Save Hemsby Coastline.
The group was formed 10 years ago when several homes were lost during a storm surge, and it is pressing for sea defences:
"People here are very nervous.
"Every time there is a storm those who live within sight and sound of the sea fear it will be the one which means they lose their home. It takes a huge toll on their mental health.
"All we really have is a large sandcastle protecting us"
He said that 1.1 miles (1.9km) of coast is under threat at Hemsby and the group is seeking permission and funding for rock berm sea defences:
"Essentially, all we really have is a large sandcastle protecting us. It's sand that's blown up, captured by the marram grass, and that's all there is protecting the front of the village.
"There used to be three rows of marrams and now you're down to the very last one and then you're into the village proper."
"Adaptation is possible"
He said an initial lowest estimate for the cost of a rock berm was given as £5 million, but costs are increasing.
"My biggest fear is we're going to reach a point where the powers that be say 'yes you've got planning permission, go for it if you can raise the money' and we're then asking for £30 million or something to do a medium-sized berm that isn't really going to be what we need.
"We're not doing it because we believe it's going to make Hemsby permanently safe.
"But it will buy time to allow people to adapt their lives. Lots of people say 'why are you bothering, you know you can't stop the sea'.
"But adaptation is possible, and it's about spending and political will."
What other local areas are at risk and what's being done?
Communities in North Norfolk are among those that will be worst affected, namely Bacton, Walcott and Ostend, followed by Mundesley, Overstrand, Hemsby, Trimingham and Happisburgh.
Those in Norfolk and Suffolk are being invited to respond to a consultation on planning policies in areas that may be affected by changes to the coastline.
The draft Coastal Adaptation Supplementary Planning Document provides guidance for potentially affected residents, developers, businesses and landowners.
It's designed to help ensure communities prosper while adapting to the changing coastline. The consultation closes on Wednesday March 8.