Hemsby and coastal erosion - frequently asked questions
If a property has to be demolished because it is unsafe and structurally unsound due to erosion who pays for the work to be carried out and how does the process work?
Legally, the owner is responsible for the making safe of their property - this includes the demolition of that property. However, usually the Council will provide support for the arrangements for demolition, should the property owner wish. In situations where a Section 78 notice is served under the Building Act 1984, the Council will organise the emergency demolition of the property. The cost of demolition could be recovered from the property owner.
The Environment Agency provides a Coastal Erosion Assistance Grant to Local Authorities to contribute towards the cost of demolition. At present, this grant only provides for £6,000 towards demolition costs, and only covers properties purchased before 2009. The costs of demolition are much higher than this and, should the Council fund these costs, it must do so from its own budget. This is why it is important that properties can be demolished in a timely manner and that work is done safely. The cost of an emergency demolition is often much higher and the Council is not obliged to pay for these costs.
Property owners are also responsible for the clean-up of anything that falls on to the beach causing contamination. At Hemsby, the beach is owned by the Crown Estate and it can instruct property owners to remove items, or fund the cost of their removal.
