People living on Hemsby coastline could be offered plots to rebuild their homes
Plans have been revealed that will see areas near Hemsby and neighbouring Scratby set aside as “roll-back” land
Residents of Hemsby living on a vulnerable stretch of coast who face losing their homes to the sea could be offered new plots further inland on which to rebuild their properties.
Plans have been revealed that will see areas near Hemsby and neighbouring Scratby set aside as “roll-back” land, where homes threatened by coastal erosion can be relocated to.
The proposals have emerged in Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s new local plan, which sets aside where new homes will be built between now and 2041.
The document earmarks an area off Yarmouth Road in the village for 36 roll-back plots, as part of a larger development of 200 new homes.
The land is about one mile away from The Marrans – a stretch of coastline that has been badly affected by erosion and where 20 homes have been lost in the last decade. Several more properties are expected to be lost by 2055.
Under the local plan, about 1.2 hectares of land will be allocated for these roll-back homes, restricting it from being used for general or affordable housing.
They will only become available on the general market if it is proven that there has been no “reasonable interest” in the land for that purpose, according to the document.
A report to councillors says: “This will help to address the loss of properties which may occur… but also provide an opportunity for those affected to be re-housed safely within the village.”
It is estimated that Hemsby has lost 300m of its coastline since the 1970s.
Prospects for homeowners living along the cliff edge are bleak following the news that planned sea defences will not receive funding.
In December last year, five properties had to be demolished due to the risk of them collapsing.
Currently, homeowners are unable to claim compensation for the loss of private property to coastal erosion.