House set to be demolished due to coastal erosion

Bare cliff face at the front of the image, there is a small amount of green grass and then a large white house, it has an extension on the side. The house has a dark roof with two chimneys. On the right hand side of the house is a fence and behind that is another house.Image source, Joe Giddens/PA
Image caption,

A number of houses on the sandy cliff were in danger due to coastal erosion

  • Published

A house which its owner feared would not survive through the winter is set to be demolished.

East Suffolk Council said a property in Thorpeness, Suffolk, would be torn down after "critical safety levels" were reached.

Jean Flick, 88, whose family member confirmed the house was being bulldozed, previously told the BBC she hoped to stay in her home for as long as possible.

Mark Packard, cabinet member for planning and coastal management, said the council had "worked closely" with the owner to ensure they were "fully aware of the situation".

A photo taken aerially. It shows the sea on the left hand side, a narrow strip of beach, then bare cliff side and then a narrow strip of green grass. On the right hand side is a large house.Image source, Joe Giddens/PA
Image caption,

The cliff edge was metres away from Jean Flick's home

A spokesperson for the council said: "There has recently been significant erosion at the northern end of Thorpeness and [we are] working closely with residents so that they are aware of and understand their erosion risk."

Ms Flick had hoped it might be possible to build defences at the foot of the sandy cliffs to slow the ongoing threat of erosion.

Mr Packard, Liberal Democrat councillor, said losing a home to "coastal erosion is extremely distressing".

The family were approached, but they did not want to comment.

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