Happisburgh, a coastal village in Norfolk, England, is experiencing rapid erosion due to climate change, and residents are losing their homes and businesses. The cliff, made up of sand, clay, and silt, is unable to hold back the North Sea’s volatile waters, which have become increasingly dangerous due to climate change. Rising sea levels and heavier rains are exacerbating the problem, and scientists are trying to understand how global warming might be making the destruction worse.
The village is also a tourist attraction and has significant historical significance. Losing Happisburgh would mean losing centuries of history, including pre-humanity traces dating back almost a million years. Coastal erosion maps predict that by 2105, both the village’s church and pub, which date back to at least 1540, will be underwater. The erosion has happened so quickly that Google’s Street View of the road last taken in 2009 still shows it disappearing into the distance beyond Bayless’s home, while in 2023, there’s nothing but a “Road Closed” barrier followed by a sheer drop.
These kinds of projects can be expensive, but they are often necessary in order to protect people and infrastructure from the effects of climate change. Finding solutions for historic commercial spaces can be more challenging, as these buildings often have cultural and historical significance that make them difficult to relocate or modify. In some cases, creative solutions can be found, such as raising the buildings on stilts or other supports to protect them from flooding. However, in other cases, it may not be possible to save these buildings. The example you gave of a 14th century church in nearby Sidestrand being deconstructed and reconstructed further inland is an interesting case study. However, as you noted, this is unlikely to happen in Happisburgh, as the costs and logistics of such a project would be prohibitively high.
