'If we worry about erosion, we will never get any sleep'

When a couple moved to Trimingham on the Norfolk coast in 2011, they hoped to escape the village before 100 years had passed and their dream home would be lost to the sea. However, over the past 20 years, dozens of properties in the village have become uninhabitable due to coastal erosion. The Bowlers' home, built in 1780, was sold to them as their dream property, but now the slope leading to the water's edge has dramatically receded.

Despite the looming threat of erosion, the Bowlers try not to worry for the sake of their peace of mind. They believe that if they focus on the issue, they won't be able to enjoy their life in the village. "If we worry about that," says Bowler, "we will never get a night's sleep. Let's just enjoy it while we can and when the time comes we'll have to find something else."

Other villagers have taken steps to mitigate the effects of erosion. Terry Brown, who moved to the village 17 years ago, realized the vulnerability of his home and the village hall, which was expected to last only 20 years. He and others have built a new hall and now consider investing in social housing to help residents who might lose their properties to the sea.

Alex Ponting, the operation manager for the MacKenzie Hotel Group, also built five mobile sea view lodges on the grounds of the Sea Marge Hotel, knowing the threat of coastal erosion was constant.

The North Norfolk District Council has spent £1 million reinforcing the sea wall at Overstrand, hoping to buy properties another 30 to 40 years. Harry Blathwayt, portfolio holder for coast, acknowledges the rapid rise in sea levels but emphasizes that homeowners should not be in a constant state of worry. He states that while there is a level of concern, residents can still thrive and enjoy the village.