Homes in Hemsby demolished amid Norfolk coast erosion

Several wooden properties, built on sand dunes at Hemsby, are perilously close to toppling into the sea due to coastal erosion.

Part of the old road on the Marrams has fallen into the sea, and Great Yarmouth Borough Council evacuated a number of people on Thursday and Friday, with Hemsby Village Hall set up as an evacuation centre.

And, on Saturday, demolition teams moved in to tear down some of the properties.

Sue's Hemsby home was demolished. Pic: Press Association (Image: Press Association)

The first home to be demolished belonged to Sue, who did not wish to give her surname, and it was destroyed because it was too close to the cliff edge.

Neighbours watched on as her house was destroyed.

READ MORE: Hemsby homes evacuated following high tide

Noel Galer, Great Yarmouth Borough councillor for East Flegg ward, which includes Hemsby, said people will be “trying very hard” to ensure those affected are looked after.

He said: "Some people literally have a second home which happens to be very close to the beach. Perhaps they knew the risks and understood the risks, accepted the risks.

Homes in Hemsby are at risk of toppling into the sea (Image: PA)

"Others, for various reasons, may have found this is the only place they can find to live because of the cost and their circumstances and may not be so aware of what’s going on.

READ MORE: Homes at risk after extensive erosion at Hemsby Gap

"They may have felt there’s no way this is ever going to be washed away."

"Unless we have some kind of sea defence protection that presumably will continue, especially with the increased energy and the climate weather system that’s hitting our shores."

The beach road at Hemsby has been closed (Image: Press Association)

Staff from the borough council have been on site alongside crews from Hemsby Independent Lifeboat Crew and Norfolk police.