Home on cliff top could fall into sea due to coastal erosion

  • Watch a report by Tony Green

A man from the Isle of Sheppey says that about 18ft of his cliff top garden has been lost to coastal erosion – and the rest of his home could soon follow if he does not get help. Last summer one of his neighbours lost her entire home after it collapsed and fell down a cliff.

Ed Cane says that the coastal erosion is continuing to erode the area, particularly with the recent wet weather and persistent rain. He says that neighbours in the Eastchurch area had been trying to fill the hole by the side of the cliff with clay in an attempt to slow down the erosion and shore up the cliff, but they were told to stop. Mr Cane says his own efforts to stop the cliff edge crumbling away have been halted.

Ed Cane looks at the damage caused by coastal erosion

A spokesman from Swale Borough Council said they will continue to work with affected homeowners but a comprehensive study of the material used to fill the hole is needed. Engineering works would require planning permission, and to move forward residents need to employ specialist consultants to liaise with everyone involved.