Plans to demolish another erosion-hit home says North Norfolk Council
Four buildings in Happisburgh are being torn down- up £100 thousand is being given out to support those affected
Decision-makers in North Norfolk tell us plans are underway to demolish another property in the coming year.
It comes as three homes and an office block in Happisburgh, that are under threat from coastal erosion, are being torn down
The previous owners have left the buildings and, in some cases, relocated with the support of the option they have chosen.
These demolitions are expected to last up to two weeks, subject to weather conditions and progress.
Norfolk District Council's says it's financially supported these demolitions through a existing, fund it created a number of years ago for these eventualities and via the national Coastal Erosion Assistance Grant.
The work's also being done through a scheme called 'Coastwise' that's being backed by £15 million of Government funding and aims to help communities adapt to rapid coastal erosion.
It means those affected are getting access to professional services – such as Planning, the ‘Planning Replacement Opportunity’, or through NNDC, offering to purchase the property at a set value.
Those affected by this work are getting between £40,000 - £100,000 to support them meet their needs.
"One of the key things is to provide them with some certainty in what is a really uncertain situation"
Rob Goodliffe is North Norfolk District Council's coastal manager
"We demolished a property a couple of years ago over in Trimingham and there is one other property we're working with at the moment towards demolition and I would hope that this would be coming forwards over the next 12 months or so.
"The next steps beyond that will be looking at the properties that are less at risk, but then finding opportunities for them moving forwards as well.
"We've been talking with different communities and property owners who are in coastal erosion risk-zones and we've explored a number of possibilities and options, there.
"One of the key things is to provide them with some certainty in what is a really uncertain situation.
"Different properties will be used in different ways from now on. So for example, one is remaining in the hands of the owner and the site will be turned into a part of it's garden.
"Other ones might be used as access routes through to the new replacement car-park for Happisburgh".