Norfolk campaigners call on government to fund new coastal defences
Great Yarmouth Councillors approved plans for Hemsby earlier this week, following high spring tide
Campaigners from a Norfolk seaside town are calling on Government to step in and fund new near mile long coastal defences.
After Great Yarmouth Councillors approved plans for Hemsby earlier this week, following high spring tides which rapidly damaged the cliffside and condemned several homes.
"Hemsby has 92 homes that are under threat"
Ian Brennan is chair of 'Save Hemsby's Coastline'
He says the group are exploring whether they are getting the funding and support they are entitled to:
"There are examples further up the coast in Happisburgh where they have been told they can't get any funding because not enough businesses are under threat, it's just a few homes- that's how it's been put to them.
"Hemsby has 92 homes that are under threat but we have also got £130 million worth of business and investment that comes into Hemsby.
Mr Brennan told us why he thinks they've got planning permission for this 'rock berm' now:
"Part of it has come from the realisation that the issue is becoming acute, it's no longer a theoretical thing. Another 5 homes have gone and another 7 more are acutely at risk on The Marrams Road.
"The problem is getting worse and it won't get any better until there's some action. That action needs to come from central government".
"We're not asking for any more than Hemsby deserves"
He says planning permission is a small step in the right direction:
"It's nice to have but unless you actually have the money to pay for it, it's just a theoretical thing. If nothing is done 92 homes would disappear and it won't stop there, they are just the next in line"
Mr Brennan went on to say this issue goes beyond this stretch of coast line:
"Hemsby is the canary in the coal mine. We are at the front but we are not the only ones. Lots of places are in the same situation, so the government needs to make firm decisions about how it's going to approach this, and do something before it's too late. We're not asking for any more than Hemsby deserves".
What has the Government said?
An Environment Agency spokesperson said:
“The Environment Agency works closely in partnership with local authorities to tackle the threat of flooding and coastal change. Around 2,000 new schemes are being created to manage coastal and flood risk nationally.
“In North Norfolk we are working with the Norfolk Strategic Flooding Alliance trialling new schemes to support affected communities, which will also inform guidance to councils across England.”