Coastal erosion in England has claimed at least 183 homes in past 16 years

A clifftop home in Hemsby being demolished in 2023. Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA View image in fullscreen A clifftop home in Hemsby being demolished in 2023. Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA Coastal erosion in England has claimed at least 183 homes in past 16 years Exclusive: Homes demolished along east coast after being deemed too vulnerable to live in, figures reveal Seaside communities along the east coast of England have lost at least 183 homes to coastal erosion and landslides over the past 16 years, figures obtained . After councils judged properties across the Yorkshire and East Anglian coasts too vulnerable to remain safely occupied, the homes were proactively demolished. The demolitions cost £1.1m, with the Environment Agency contributing about £482,000 towards clearing 61 homes at risk of collapsing and the rest paid for . Coastal erosion is the gradual wearing away and retreat of the sea shoreline, which can destabilise cliffs and eventually force homes and infrastructure to be demolished before they collapse. While it is a natural process, scientists said the climate crisis was accelerating the retreat of the UK’s shores. The Guardian requested data from nine councils noted in a House of Commons environment, food and rural affairs committee (EFRA) report as being some of the most vulnerable to coastal erosion. East Riding of Yorkshire council, which includes vulnerable communities in Skipsea, Aldbrough and Mappleton, has demolished 66 homes since 2010 – the most of these nine local authorities. Great Yarmouth borough council (GYBC) has demolished 64 homes since 2010, with all the houses located in the village of Hemsby. Since December 2025, the council has removed 41 properties in the seaside resort. A GYBC spokesperson said: “Last winter, the dunes in Hemsby saw about 50% of the erosion predicted for the entirety of the next 30 years. More than 10 metres of land was lost in just over 12 months. “Council staff continue to liaise with people to make sure residents and the public are safe and work closely with people to offer support and advice and explain the options available.” North Norfolk council has proactively demolished 21 homes over the same period. East Suffolk council, which only held data for the past six years, recorded a sharp rise in demolitions last year. Eight homes were demolished between 2020 and 2024, and 16 between May last year and April this year. Most of East Suffolk’s homes demolished this year are understood to be in Thorpeness. Hilary Lightfoot’s home, in which she lived and raised a family for 20 years, was demolished this year. “I’ve lost £650,000 – that was what my flat was worth,” she said. “I’ve had to dig into my pension savings to buy a house, of which I still owe money on.