Cliff collapse neighbours can't return home

The community at Eastchurch Gap has been calling for action to halt coastal erosion for years Credit: ITV Meridian

Ten days after a cliff collapse on the Isle of Sheppey led to four families being evacuated and a house being totally destroyed, neighbours are still waiting to return home.

The close knit community at Eastchurch Gap has been calling for action to halt coastal erosion for years. But they believe something else led to a mother of five losing her dream home.

Less than two years after Emma Tullett moved in to Cliffhanger, her dream home, the ground disappeared from beneath it.

The community at Eastchurch Gap has been calling for action to halt coastal erosion for years Credit: ITV Meridian

The coast at Eastchuch is eroding. But neighbours don't believe that's why the ground on surf crescent gave way .

Jason Green, who has cerebral palsy lives with his wife Jessie and two children in a caravan next to his parents house. Now that Emma's home has gone, his home is closest to the cliff edge.

He and two other neighbours have been told they can't go home.

Residents were forced to leave their homes after the cliff collapse Credit: ITV Meridian

  • Jason Green, neighbour

Edwin Cane spent two nights sleeping in his car to protect his home from being looted.

Neighbour Edwin Cane doesn't believe it's been caused by natural erosion Credit: ITV Meridian

  • Malcolm Newell Eastchurch Gap Erosion and Community Action Group

A Swale council spokesman said "The "no active intervention" policy along this stretch of coast has been in place since 2008.

They can't afford cliff defences and the environment agency can't justify them.

Swale Borough Council say they are committed to updating the households affected Credit: ITV Meridian
Neighbours aren't sure when they are able to return to their homes Credit: ITV Meridian

Until then neighbours here have no idea when, if ever, it will be safe to return home. Jason Green says it's been an emotional time.

Since the house, which was called Cliffhanger - collapsed, neighbours on the Isle of Sheppey have offered help.

In his report, Tony Green talks to neighbours in Eastchurch, Jason Green, Ed Cane, Malcolm Newell, caravan Park owner Henry Cooper, and Dr Malcolm Whitworth from Portsmouth University, a reader in Engineering Geomorphology and Natural Hazards.