A former soldier who twice beat the odds in moving his beachfront home from a crumbling clifftop is considering an army-like operation in moving his property a third time.

When Lance Martin moved into his Hemsby Marrams home - called Dune Fall - in 2017, he believed he had found his dream home.

After serving as a Grenadier guardsman for 22 years, he wanted to enjoy his retirement with daily sea views, privacy and fresh air.

However, following 2018's devastating Beast from the East, which ate away at the village's dunes and led to the demolition of seven homes, the future of Mr Martin's chalet was in doubt. He endeavoured to move his property away from the crumbling edge and resumed his twilight years peacefully until last March.

Eastern Daily Press: FLASHBACK: Work begins again to move Lance Martin's house away from the cliff edge at Hemsby. March 2023.FLASHBACK: Work begins again to move Lance Martin's house away from the cliff edge at Hemsby. March 2023. (Image: Denise Bradley)After further erosion led to the eviction and ultimate demolition of six homes on The Marrams' north side, Mr Martin set to moving his home once again or face the prospect of homelessness.

Eastern Daily Press: Lance Martin visited Great Yarmouth Borough Council's housing office on Tuesday.Lance Martin visited Great Yarmouth Borough Council's housing office on Tuesday. (Image: Submitted)With the support from staff at the nearby Dunes housing estate, Mr Martin was supplied with telegraph poles, heavy plant and crew to drag his home metres away from its precarious position.

Over the past year, Mr Martin has been repairing his clifftop home which had warped during the relocation. One room is still being brought back to a liveable condition, and he has yet to install a grey water tank.

Also during this time, his neighbourhood faced more destruction, and in December, the collapse of The Marrams access road led to further demolition of five homes.

Eastern Daily Press: FLASHBACK: The demolition of homes along The Marrams, Hemsby in 2018.FLASHBACK: The demolition of homes along The Marrams, Hemsby in 2018. (Image: Newsquest Archives)Now, the retired veteran is considering one final move to ensure his future at his dream home. But the nearby road collapse has left his home virtually inaccessible.

"I'm thinking of an airlift," Mr Martin said.

"It's a military-grade operation. It seems crazy.

"But it can be done."

Eastern Daily Press: Heavy-lift helicopters, such as the Chinook, are known for their exceptional lifting capacities and are able to payloads exceeding 9,072 kg.Heavy-lift helicopters, such as the Chinook, are known for their exceptional lifting capacities and are able to payloads exceeding 9,072 kg. (Image: PA)Mr Martin is currently drafting plans of using ship-launching airbags to prop up his home so rolled steel joists (RSJs) can be inserted beneath his home with strategically placed lifting points for the property to be attached to a helicopter. Similar supports will be added to the interior to prevent the structure buckling during flight.

The retired soldier says there are companies able to take on the task. But he requires a new plot to position his home and funding for the operation.

Eastern Daily Press: FLASHBACK: Lance Martin during the first relocation of his home following the Beast from the East in 2018.FLASHBACK: Lance Martin during the first relocation of his home following the Beast from the East in 2018. (Image: Newsquest Archives)"I am stubborn," said Mr Martin.

"But I think why shouldn't I be? It's my home. It's my life. And after everything I have fought for, I am willing to fight for that.

"I want to remain as close to Hemsby as possible. I first visited on a day out seven years ago and immediately fell in love.

"I moved here the following month and thought 'that's me for life'."

Eastern Daily Press: The view from inside a now-demolished property on The Marrams.The view from inside a now-demolished property on The Marrams. (Image: Denise Bradley)Mr Martin is also attempting to recruit the help of Hollywood's seventh-highest-paid actor for 2024 and former Great Yarmouth resident, Jason Statham, to help raise the profile of the operation and the continuing situation at Hemsby, which has been permitted to build a 1.5km sea defence but has had funding declined.

Former Marrams homeowner Kevin Jordan was one of the people evicted from their home in December. He has described himself as a "climate refugee" and is currently in the process of suing the government with the backing of Friends of the Earth.

Eastern Daily Press: Kevin Jordan in front of his Hemsby Marrams home days before it was demolished.Kevin Jordan in front of his Hemsby Marrams home days before it was demolished. (Image: Denise Bradley)Mr Martin said this is also an action he is willing to consider.

"I am also a climate refugee," he added.

"And everyone living on The Marrams is having the rug swept from under them. We've spent thousands of pounds trying to make these homes perfect. And it's all being taken away.

"The erosion is nobody's fault directly.

"But we all need places to live, and we need assurances of our future. 

"We won't go quietly."

Eastern Daily Press: TRIUMPH: Lance Martin after moving his home for the second time.TRIUMPH: Lance Martin after moving his home for the second time. (Image: Denise Bradley)