Hemsby aerial photos show a decade of coastal erosion

High spring tides and gale-force winds wreaked havoc upon Norfolk's coastline over the past week, causing parts of the cliff face at Hemsby to be washed away by the sea.

The community that lives there is facing growing challenges as the impact of coastal erosion continues, with some homes having to be demolished.

Hemsby's coastline in 2013 after a tidal surge (Image: Mike Page)

Photographs taken in 2013 show the aftermath of one of the biggest tidal surges in 60 years, which washed away several houses in the village.

Hemsby's coastline in 2013 after a tidal surge (Image: Mike Page)

The rallying response of villagers on the night saw the creation of Save Hemsby Coastline, a campaigning and fundraising group committed to securing permanent protection for the village, whatever the weather threw at it.

Hemsby's coastline in 2013 after a tidal surge (Image: Mike Page)

Over the following decade, villagers faced a growing threat that one day their homes would be washed away.

For some, this became a reality in the past few days.

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.

Drone photographs have captured the moment demolition teams moved in to tear down some of the properties on Saturday. 

Homes in Hemsby had to be demolished on Saturday (Image: Luke Martin Photography)

A house perilously close to the cliff edge in Hemsby (Image: Luke Martin Photography)

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.

READ MORE: Norfolk communities most at risk from coastal erosion

Coastal erosion is encroaching further and further upon land surrounding Hemsby lifeboat station. (Luke Martin Photography) (Image: Luke Martin Photography)

In January this year, Ian Brennan, chairman of the Save Hemsby Coastline charity, described how the impact of coastal erosion is taking a "huge toll" on mental health for people in the community and called for more to be done to protect the area. 

The eroding coastline at Hemsby (Luke Martin Photography) (Image: Luke Martin Photography)

Norfolk is one of the worst places in the country to be affected by coastal erosion and it is estimated that almost a third of all homes which could be lost this century are in the county.