Loss of East Yorkshire coastal heritage raises mental health concerns as bunker nears collapse

A Cold War bunker near Tunstall, East Yorkshire, is just days from collapsing into the sea as coastal erosion continues to reshape the region's coastline.

The 70-year-old structure is the latest example of historical landmarks under threat, with experts highlighting the emotional and mental impact that their loss can have on communities.

Historic England and The University of Glasgow has found that seven in ten people believe local historic buildings are important to their quality of life.

Ellen Harrison from Historic England explained how people respond to deteriorating landmarks in their communities.

“When we showed people an image of a historic building that wasn't being looked after, that was clearly going to be lost, over half of the people we spoke to reported feeling sad. One in five people that we spoke to as well feel ashamed when they're looking at buildings that are neglected, or they're at risk," Ellen said.

Coastal erosion across the country represents a poignant example of this sense of loss. Ellen added that it’s important to acknowledge these changes in a meaningful way.

"Hostile erosion is a really good and very live example of communities around the country facing the kind of loss that we see through coastal erosion. We need to be able to say goodbye to it in the way that we might, other parts of our lives that are really important. "We can do that through recording that place, its significance, capturing memories, but also allowing time and space for us to feel that loss when eventually there are heritage sites that we can't do anything about, that we will have to say goodbye to," she said.

The East Yorkshire coast has long been vulnerable to erosion, and the ongoing threat to its landmarks serves as a reminder of how physical loss can affect emotional well-being.