Coastal erosion in village 'slowing down'

Coastal erosion in a village that does not qualify for sea defence funding is slowing down, a council said.

This year, two homes were demolished in Thorpeness, Suffolk, due to the issue.

Karen Thomas, strategic lead for coastal management adaptation for East Suffolk Council, said erosion was reaching an "equilibrium" in the area and was taking place at "a rate that is normal".

However, she hoped a solution for sea defences would be in place by this time next year, despite there being no current funding.

Her comments came following a meeting on Monday when more than 100 people came together to discuss erosion, including East Suffolk Council and Labour Suffolk Coastal MP, Jenny Riddell-Carpenter.

"I do want to reassure people as best as I can that [erosion] is slowing down now and reaching equilibrium, and it is now at a rate that is normal with the rest of the coast to the north, which should give us more time to plan things with the community," she said.

The meeting was told 18m (59ft) of cliff had been lost so far, and the village does not qualify for significant government funding.

This summer, residents had hoped to pay for their own sea defences as they raced against time, but the council would not support the plans, which it said had not been properly planned.

Residents were trying again, with a plan for a system of wooden retaining walls on the beach to stop the shingle from being washed away.

Ms Thomas said the council was working with the community on the proposals.

"We've already encouraged a couple of pre-applications for that to come forward for that proposal," she added.

"I think that's a really sound one that we want to try and work with them on."

Riddell-Carpenter said she would "100%" support plans for the new wooden retaining walls, but she understood time was running out.

"That sounds eminently sensible, and it is something we should all get behind... we need to make sure that where we've got sensible solutions, we move, let's do it and let's get on with it," she said.

She stressed officials needed to focus on long-term funding while making sure short-term steps were being taken to protect the coast.

Resident Richard Bodek attended Monday's meeting and said the pace of erosion had been "horrifying".

He wanted to see a commitment made to help the residents now.

"My wife and I are relative newcomers, really, but Thorpeness is an absolutely beautiful village," he said.

"There is much more than can be done. I think the community needs to know what it can try and do itself because, at the end of the day, if we're talking millions [of pounds], we can't do that.

"We are one of many coastal locations that are desperate for some help."

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