ON THE EDGE

Call for compo payouts as 3 more homes at risk of going over cliff

ONE of the desperate homeowners hit by a cliff collapse is demanding they get compensation, claiming red tape held up vital defence work.

We showed yesterday how Emma Tullett lost her £190,000 dream home after two landslips left the broken structure literally hanging over the edge.

And at least three more at-risk properties have been evacuated at Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent.

One is owned by parish councillor Malcolm Newell, 70. The retired wood turner is chair of Eastchurch Gap Erosion Action Group – and blames bureaucracy for delaying a £30,000 council scheme to strengthen the cliffs.

He said: “The people who are going to lose their homes need compensation from Central Government. They’re responsible. It was red tape which led to the delay in putting netting in. I’m disgusted by it. They had plenty of time to do something.”

The home of an elderly couple also remains cordoned off.

And Ed Cane, 67, has a home now metres from the edge. Citing poor defences, he said: “The council say it’s too expensive but this is my house and others at stake.”

In 2014, locals launched a group to pressure the Environment Agency and Natural England to install netting. The scheme finally got under way in April 2016.

Emma, 42, could not get a mortgage when she bought her property – called Cliffhanger – in 2018 due to its site. And the mum of five could not get insurance.

Malcolm has insurance but said: “I’m not sure I’ll be covered.”

Council officers have posted letters to warn residents to pack an emergency bag in case of further evacuations.

Swale Borough Council said it held an exhibition on erosion for locals in 2013. It added: “Following the second cliff collapse, we provided temporary accommodation to 15 people from four households. We are working to establish if/when it could be safe to return.”

I’m disgusted. They had plenty of time to do something

MALCOLM NEWELL ON DELAY TO DEFENCE WORK