Richard Daniel/BBCA council has confirmed it will continue to provide funding for homeowners facing demolition costs on a crumbling Suffolk coastline.
Several homes in Thorpeness have already had to be torn down this winter due to coastal erosion, while several others are at risk of being lost.
East Suffolk Council, which is in charge of managing the erosion, expects the demolition costs to be in the region of £330,000.
Mark Packard, cabinet member for planning and coastal management, said the costs had been of “grave concern” to residents and the council had “always sought to provide reassurance”.
“Property owners are suffering a genuinely devastating experience, and our teams have been working closely with those affected throughout,” explained the Liberal Democrat councillor.
“The erosion in recent weeks has occurred at such an unprecedented rate that a decision has been taken to immediately ensure costs are covered in the short term.
“This is a tragedy for property owners; however, we are able to address one of the most worrying elements of this upsetting situation.”
The council says it has already been paying for demolition costs – despite not legally having to do so – and would be dipping into its reserves.
Jamie Niblock/BBCInitially the council believed the erosion would improve, but bad weather at the start of the year meant large parts of the coastline disappeared.
The local authority has already spent £750,000 maintaining sea defences over the past year along its coastline, but has said there is nothing else that can be done in the immediate future.
Four homes this winter have been torn down, while another was taken down in 2022.
A further nine properties are at imminent risk.
The village was initially developed as an exclusive resort for wealthy holidaymakers in the 19th Century, with the Meare boating lake inspired by the story of Peter Pan.
