East Yorkshire erosion-threat coastal homes spark cash plea

More than 30ft of land was lost to the sea last year on a stretch of coast south of Withernsea

People forced to pay out up to £40,000 to have their coastal erosion-threatened homes demolished should get government funding, it is claimed.

Councillors issued the plea after parts of East Yorkshire lost more than 30ft (10m) of land to the sea, in 2019.

The coastline is the fastest-eroding part of northern Europe, with a rate of between 0.5m and 4m lost each year.

A government spokesman said it was spending £1.2bn to protect properties from coastal erosion around the country.

One of the worst examples of erosion was spotted by surveyors on a stretch of land south of Withernsea that lost 30ft (10m), between March and October.

East Yorkshire has the fastest eroding coastline in northern Europe

A report discussed by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council said that a "single erosion event" could put a large number of properties at imminent risk within the next year.

Richard Jackson, principal sustainable development officer, told the meeting the council continued to work with communities where defences were not sustainable.

He said the council had "limited" financial support to help residents cover the cost of demolishing their properties - which can cost between £15,000 and £40,000 - but they continued to ask the government for funding.

One couple facing the loss of their cliff-top "dream home" said the government should do more to defend the coastline.

'Sea in my bed?'

Jimmy Mac and Megan Shaw have been told their rented home in Skipsea needs to be demolished, after storms left only 26ft (8m) of garden between their house and the sea.

Mr Mac said he put a golf tee in the cliff top to see how fast the cliff was eroding.

"It was sad to see how much we are losing. It was quite a short time," he said.

"On a stormy night when the waves are crashing, it keeps you awake. I don't know if I'm going to wake up with the sea in my bed."

In a statement, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs said: "We are investing over £1.2bn as part of our current programme to better protect 170,000 properties from coastal flooding, up to 2021."