Thorpeness Erosion House Demolition

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 06:00

Image of the demolition at the home in Thorpeness. Image: Joe Giddens/PA

The demolition of a cliff top home in Thorpeness that was at risk of being lost to the sea has begun after “critical safety levels” were reached.

Jean Flick, 88, had been told once the end of her garden was within five metres of her house, she would have no choice but to demolish the nearly 100-year-old building - and all the memories in it.

Following what the local council described as "significant erosion", demolition work began this week and is expected to last between seven and 10 days.

Mrs Flick had lived at the seaside property in Thorpeness, Suffolk, for 25 years and two years ago watched as her neighbour's property was knocked down. She is now understood to be staying with family.

The widow, who is from a farming family, had been among a group of villagers who had applied to put a rock barrier in front of their homes to try to slow the rate of erosion.

But East Suffolk Council told them it could take a year to go through the planning system - with those living near the edge aware they may not have that much time.

On Tuesday (28th October), an East Suffolk Council spokesperson said "critical safety levels" had been reached.