An increase in coastal erosion has prompted a council to consult residents of a village over risks to property.

East Suffolk Council has begun a survey among residents and businesses to seek views in the wider Thorpeness area and support future work on addressing the problem, along with the problem of tidal flooding.

Council officers have already met with homeowners to discuss future approaches and explore any feasible short-term interventions.

Additionally, officers have been using drones to monitor the area and enable an increased understanding of erosion rates and beach movement.

Cllr Mark Packard, East Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for planning and coastal management, said: “Whilst we are dealing with the imminent risk to properties, we are also keen to engage the wider community to raise awareness of the issues and ensure people have the opportunity to develop and share ideas on what actions could help Thorpeness prepare for the future impacts of coastal erosion and tidal flooding.

“East Suffolk has some of the fastest eroding coast in northwest Europe and whilst a certain amount of erosion happens each year, there has been an accelerated rate of erosion at Thorpeness recently.

“Each coastal area has a shoreline management plan, which identifies whether the coastline will be defended (known as ‘hold the line’), realigned or undefended.

“For Thorpeness, the guidance is for ‘managed realignment’ which means that where possible, measures might be permitted that slow erosion down, but not stop it. Therefore, we must look at how we can adapt to such risks.

“The results from the survey will inform our conversations with the community about what could be done.”

Once the survey results are in an adaptation plan will be produced.

Visit: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Thorpeness_Survey

Deadline for responses is Sunday, September 14.

Sea defences at Thorpeness by Mat Fascione, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

© Eastern Echo (powered by ukpropertyforums.com).

Sign up to receive our weekly free journal, The Forum here.