The North Norfolk District Council has spent £25 million to improve sea defences and reduce the impact of coastal erosion in Mundesley and Cromer.
The North Norfolk coastline is particularly vulnerable to erosion as the area is composed of weak materials like clay and fine sediment which can easily be displaced from shores by the strong tidal energy of the North Sea.
The Norfolk County Council website states that “[without preventative measures to reduce coastal erosion in North Norfolk] … approximately 1,030 residential and commercial properties could be lost to erosion by 2105.”
In Cromer, 38,000 tonnes of rock armour has been placed along the seafront to reduce the erosive effects of waves and to protect the residential and commercial buildings closest to the beach.
There has been mixed reactions from the local community who understand the importance of protecting their coastline but query why defences have not been extended further to include areas such as Happisburgh where 34 homes have been lost to erosion in the last 20 years.
The cost of the project has also increased in expenses from £14.1 million to £25 million.
Construction of the defences in Cromer began in January of 2024 and the council predicts it will take around 12-18 months to complete.
Cromer must wait to see if the scheme has positively influenced erosion rates and managed to protect businesses and homes.
