Hemsby stakeholder group meets to discuss next steps around ongoing erosion of dunes

The group - which includes members of the borough council, parish council, the Crown Estate, the landowner, the MP, the Environment Agency, Hemsby Lifeboat, local businesses and the Save Hemsby Coastline charity - met at the Town Hall where coastal officers from Great Yarmouth Borough Council shared the latest data about erosion of the dunes in the village.

Councillor Carl Smith, leader of the council, said: ''The safety of our residents is our priority and we are working with partners and other agencies to find the best possible solutions to adapting to the changes to our coastline.

''We aim to give people options to be able to relocate safely without facing the distress of last-minute demolition when bad weather puts properties at risk. We are not abandoning Hemsby - we are actively trying to find the best solutions for the community in the face of coastal erosion.''

The stakeholder group agreed to hold regular meetings with people in Hemsby to listen to concerns and explain options around how to keep the beach safe for people to enjoy.

Earlier this year an independent report detailed how a temporary rock berm - which was installed in 2023 - and other items on the beach are now ineffective at preventing erosion and, in some cases, are exacerbating it.

There is also a risk to public safety from some of the items on the beach and the group has agreed to look at how some of the assets might be re-purposed and re-used more effectively. Councillor Smith stressed nothing would be moved until next autumn, to allow time for community input and further stakeholder group meetings.

The meeting also heard how work is progressing after the council secured £1.6 million to develop plans to help people living in homes most threatened by erosion to relocate away from areas most at risk via the transfer of planning rights.

The innovative approach provides some funding towards relocation for those most affected by coastal erosion - who usually, under current legislation, cannot receive compensation if they lose their home to erosion.

Planning approval also exists for a 1.2km rock berm at Hemsby, but officers reminded the group that it does not meet the Government's criteria for funding and has been costed at more than £20m. It would also have severe implications for the future of the beach.