Holiday home drama a cliffhanger

Signs warn of the dangers of coastal erosion in East Yorkshire

A couple who had to demolish a seaside holiday bungalow threatened by cliff erosion may have to pull down a second home they bought just yards away.

Jim and Linda Norcliffe's bungalow now stands only four feet away from the cliff edge at Barmston, East Yorkshire.

East Riding Council says it must be removed to protect beach users below.

Five years ago the family's previous holiday home was torn down when the crumbling cliff was about to send it plunging 50 feet into the sea.

Faster erosion

Mrs Norcliffe said: "We bought the second bungalow after the first one went five years ago because we enjoy it so much there.

"We were told by a surveyor at the time when it was 90ft away from the edge that it would be at least 10 years before it would need to come down.

"Because we love the place we decided to buy it and get a good few years out of it.

We are still happy using the place and don't feel it is unsafe Linda Norcliffe

"But the rate of erosion has obviously increased quite dramatically and in the last four months or so the cliff has fallen away another 18 feet to within four feet of the porch."

However, she and her husband, who have four grandchildren, are determined to oppose the council's demolition orders and continue using their holiday hideaway near Bridlington.

"Three generations of my family love the place and I wouldn't let my grandchildren go there if I felt it was dangerous," she said.

"We are still happy using the place and don't feel it is unsafe.

"We've had no contact directly from the council, so we're a bit confused about where we go from here."

East Riding Council says the building must be removed as it would be liable if anyone using the beach was injured by falling debris.