Coastal erosion in England has claimed at least 183 homes in past 16 years

Seaside communities along the east coast of England have lost at least 183 homes to coastal erosion and landslides over the past 16 years, figures obtained by the Guardian reveal.

After councils judged properties across the Yorkshire and East Anglian coasts too vulnerable to remain safely occupied, the homes were proactively demolished.

The demolitions cost £1.1m, with the Environment Agency contributing about £482,000 towards clearing 61 homes at risk of collapsing and the rest paid for by councils and at times by homeowners themselves.

Coastal erosion is the gradual wearing away and retreat of the sea shoreline, which can destabilise cliffs and eventually force homes and infrastructure to be demolished before they collapse. While it is a natural process, scientists said the climate crisis was accelerating the retreat of the UK’s shores.

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