Thorpeness looks beyond ‘one urgent crisis to the next’ with a long-term plan to tackle coastal erosion
A consultation discussing what to do next closes today
Save Thorpeness is drawing up a village-wide strategy for its future after 11 homes were lost to coastal erosion over the past year, with residents now facing what campaigners describe as an important first winter since almost 27 metres of coastline was lost.
More than 100 people have responded to a consultation aimed at developing a long-term plan to protect the future of one of Suffolk's most distinctive coastal communities.
Save Thorpeness launched the consultation during the summer as the village continues to deal with the consequences of significant coastal erosion.
Its draft vision proposes moving beyond individual responses to immediate threats and developing a coordinated approach covering coastal protection, flooding, adaptation, public access, the environment and the village's economy.
The consultation closes at 5pm today (Friday, September 4 2026)
Dennis Skinner, a director of Save Thorpeness and Thorpeness Community Interest Company, said the organisation wanted any future strategy to have the backing of the wider community.
“There's been lots of individual initiatives and ourselves, you know, we've been going from one urgent crisis to the next, but we need a more, you know, longer term plan,” he said.
“We need to kind of galvanise the whole of the village around what those priorities are.”
Eleven homes lost
According to Save Thorpeness, 11 homes have been lost or demolished following coastal erosion in the past year.
Its consultation document says the village is facing pressures from coastal erosion, rising sea levels, severe storms and longer-term climate change.
Significant erosion has affected North End Avenue, while public access routes have also faced closures and disruption.
Mr Skinner said the experience of the past year had demonstrated why the organisation believed a more comprehensive approach was necessary.
He said: “In the last year, there's been 11 homes that have been lost to coastal erosion and, you know, my heart goes out to those individuals who have lost their homes.
“So we believe that we needed to kind of come up with a strategy which is owned by the whole village and doesn't just look at one incident in isolation, but kind of looks at what the future of Thorpeness needs to be.”
The stories from local residents can be found here.
Save Thorpeness says a coordinated strategy could also help it seek funding from the Government and other organisations for future work.
More than 100 consultation responses
Mr Skinner said more than 100 responses had already been received ahead of Friday's deadline.
He said there had been strong support for elements of the draft strategy, alongside additional suggestions which would now be considered.
Save Thorpeness plans to analyse the submissions and produce a revised strategy, which it hopes to sign off at a board meeting later in September.
The organisation has also been speaking to permanent residents, regular visitors and tourists during the consultation, including through events held in the village over the summer.
Mr Skinner said feedback had repeatedly highlighted the value people placed on Thorpeness and its distinctive character.
‘This winter is going to be important’
Despite the focus on a longer-term strategy, Save Thorpeness says some more immediate issues remain unresolved ahead of the winter.
Mr Skinner said the coming months would be significant following the loss of almost 27 metres of coastline.
“This winter is going to be important,” he said.
“We can't stop the North Sea, but I think we can make sure that Thorpeness is much better prepared for what comes next.”
Earlier this year, hundreds of rock bags were installed to provide temporary protection, while some property owners also installed measures including sheet piling.
More on the defences can be read here.
Mr Skinner said Save Thorpeness was now in discussions with East Suffolk Council over rocks at the end of North End Avenue, which had previously helped protect a property that has since been demolished.
He said the organisation agreed the rocks should be removed from their current position but wanted them retained on the beach and used elsewhere to provide protection.
“We think those rocks can be used constructively elsewhere on the beach and that's the proposition we put to the council,” he said.
“Let's store them on the beach so that they provide protection to Thorpeness rather than they be moved off the beach.”
Wider plan for Thorpeness
Save Thorpeness's proposed strategy sets out five broad objectives: protecting people, property and infrastructure; developing a coordinated approach to coastal resilience; protecting the environment; strengthening the village's economic sustainability; and building a stronger community voice.
Potential work identified in the consultation includes gathering more evidence about erosion and flooding, investigating coastal and flood-defence options and maintaining access to beaches and footpaths.
The group also wants to examine the future resilience of the Meare and consider how dunes, planting and other nature-based approaches could help the village adapt.
Mr Skinner said the focus on North End Avenue over the past year should not obscure other potential risks facing Thorpeness.
He said: “A lot of focus of our attention has been on the erosion of the cliffs on North End Avenue. But we also know longer term, you know, there's a risk to the Meare through sort of flooding.
“So we need to come up with a comprehensive plan.”
Funding and support
Save Thorpeness says it intends to continue working with the council over potential funding for future adaptation and protection measures.
One option being discussed with residents is creating a new access road further inland for properties on North End Avenue.
Mr Skinner said the group also hoped major energy infrastructure projects operating around Thorpeness could provide financial or practical assistance.
He said this could potentially include access to machinery or equipment, rather than solely financial contributions.
Mr Skinner said: “We work collaboratively with those organisations and agencies. You know, we want to work with them rather than against them.”
He added that Save Thorpeness believed the village's distinctive character meant there was a strong case for organisations to support its future.
He specifically identified Sizewell C as one of the organisations Save Thorpeness hoped to hold further discussions with.
Mr Skinner said the group wanted to explore whether the project could provide financial or practical support, while stressing that no agreement had been reached.
“Let's have that discussion. Let's see what can be done,” he said.
“We'll certainly want to work as collaboratively with them as possible to see, you know, as I say, if it's not money — and hopefully it can be some money as well — there is some support and help that they can provide.”
What happens next?
The consultation closes at 5pm today.
Save Thorpeness says responses will then be analysed and used to revise the strategy, with the updated document expected to go before its board later in September.
Its stated ambition is for a “resilient, thriving and sustainable Thorpeness”, with a strategy which considers both defending parts of the village and adapting to future coastal change.
People can submit comments to Save Thorpeness before the consultation closes.