This is how coastal erosion may affect Bognor Regis over the next century
Up to 131ft of land in Bognor is likely to be lost over the next 20 years due to erosion, an analysis of Environment Agency data by confused.com has found.
The company has produced a series of graphics showing the extent of the coastal erosion in the town in 20, 50 and 100 years.
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Hide AdA spokesman said: “While Bognor Regis is a popular seaside holiday destination, the beach could be creeping in, which could be bad news for local residents who have houses close by, and the local tourism industry that brings money to the area.”
In 100 years, coastal erosion could reach the gardens, and perhaps even the actual buildings, of the houses closest to the coast, according to confused.com.
There are 19,136 houses collectively in the PO21 postcode, which includes Bognor Regis and Pagham, with an average property value of £360,7205 – alongside an increased house insurance premium of £151.585 per year, according to the company.
A spokesman said: “If you have a house or holiday home around here that were to be destroyed, you could be looking at a cost of around £254,083 to rebuild it.
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Hide Ad“This is something that people living close to the coast might want to bear in mind given how much the coast is set to erode.”
The Environmental Agency has calculated that 7,000 homes in the UK, worth more than £1bn, could fall into the sea within this century, the spokesman said.
The report also states that 520,000 properties are in areas with coastal flooding risk, and without further action this figure could treble to 1.5m by 2080s.
Tom Vaughan, Head of Home at Confused.com said: “Coastal erosion has become one of the most worrying issues for UK home owners in seaside towns.
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Hide Ad“Our research highlights the increasing risk that many coastal residents are facing, to the point where some are ultimately looking at losing their homes over the next 20 years.”