HFF from Happisburgh everyone

This is Happisburgh (pronounced ‘haze-bro’), a Norfolk village founded over 1,000 years ago. Back then there was an entire other village between Happisburgh and the sea.

The coastline has retreated around 50 metres per decade. Several cottages and a WW2 bunker have slipped off the cliffs. A car park is already gone, replaced by a new one further away from the coast. Caravan parks are under threat, and a set of steps down the cliffs from a caravan park has disappeared. More importantly Happisburgh’s 14th century manor house, its Norman church and the country’s only privately operated lighthouse are all set disappear. Hill House Pub is also under threat. If the pub’s luck holds then it may have another 30 years left before the sea claims it. Unless defences are improved, the pub, along with other buildings in the village will remain effectively valueless.

The design of the sea defences was based around timber revetments, but these collapsed and haven’t been replaced, which means that Happsiburgh is in the situation of being an undefended area. When the weather combines with tidal forces change can become rapid on this fragile coast.

Today's news from the Norfolk Coast: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-43448270



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