Thorpeness residents asked to help shape long-term plan to protect village from coastal erosion
11 houses have been lost in the last year
Residents are being invited to help shape a long-term strategy to protect Thorpeness from coastal erosion and rising sea levels, as campaigners prepare to seek millions of pounds to secure the village's future.
Save Thorpeness and the Thorpeness Community Interest Company have launched a public consultation on a draft strategic plan, setting out a vision for how the Suffolk coastal village can respond to the growing threat posed by erosion and flooding.
The consultation, which runs until 5pm on Friday 4 September, asks residents, businesses and visitors to comment on the proposals before the strategy is finalised.
The move follows months of emergency work to help protect the village after significant erosion earlier this year. Campaigners say around 27 metres of coastline have been lost over the past year, while 11 homes have already been demolished because of the advancing coastline.
Dennis Skinner, a director of both Save Thorpeness and the Thorpeness Community Interest Company, said the strategy marked a shift from responding to immediate threats towards developing a coordinated long-term plan.
He said: "We've decided as Save Thorpeness and Thorpeness Community Interest Company to produce a strategy which we've just issued for consultation.
"We're very keen that we want to get the village residents, businesses and others to buy into this strategy. It's a draft because it has to be shaped by the villagers' views about actions and priorities."
'A wake-up call for the whole village'
Mr Skinner, who lives in Thorpeness, described the impact of recent coastal erosion as "really distraught", explaining that several of those who have lost homes were permanent residents and others remain at risk.
He said severe erosion earlier this year had become "a bit of a wake-up call for the whole village" because of concerns that the sea could breach the coastline, flooding properties and damaging the Thorpeness Meare.
He said: "We've got the erosion issue to deal with, but there are other environmental risks as well."
Creating a plan to secure funding
Mr Skinner said one of the strategy's main purposes is to create an agreed vision that can be presented to organisations, including councils, the Environment Agency and potential funders.
He said: "If you're going to bid for some funds from Government or the Environment Agency or elsewhere, then you need a clear plan and a clear rationale.
"Getting agreement from the village about the plan will be helpful in terms of being able to put in hopefully some successful funding bids."
While detailed designs and costings have yet to be completed, he said providing comprehensive coastal defences across the village could cost tens of millions of pounds.
Discussions with Sizewell C
Alongside public funding, campaigners hope major organisations in the area could also play a role.
Mr Skinner confirmed discussions have already begun with Sizewell C, saying the company had been supportive and that further talks are planned over the summer.
He said: "They've been very supportive in terms of acknowledging that we exist and keen to have further discussions with us.
"I think there's an ask of us of being clear about what it is we need from them."
He added that the project could also benefit from construction equipment and expertise already operating locally because of the nuclear power station development.
Council relationship 'very positive'
The strategy follows months of collaboration between residents, East Suffolk Council, Suffolk County Council and Thorpeness Parish Council, which helped deliver temporary emergency coastal protection earlier this year.
Mr Skinner said he believed relationships with local authorities had strengthened.
He said: "My view has been a very positive view.
"That's not to say we wouldn't want the council to do more. We'll always be pushing them, but councils have got lots of responsibilities and they're quite short of cash.
"I speak quite highly of the council and the collaboration they've shown in the past six months and I'm hopeful that will continue going forward."
Residents can view both the summary and full draft strategy and submit comments before the consultation closes on 4 September. Organisers will also hold drop-in sessions in the village during the consultation period