Angie Wilson and partner Richard England in their garden on the cliff edge in Scratby. JAMES LINSELL-CLARK/SWNS
A woman whose home is precariously perched on a crumbling 60-foot-high cliff edge has said: “I love it here.”
Angie Wilson, 66, moved into her two-bedroom 1930’s bungalow in Scratby, Norfolk in 2010 and was warned it would probably tumble off the cliff within 25 years.
Before being handed the keys, she was warned by a local resident and her solicitor about the imminent threat of erosion.
But the mom-of-one fell in love with the beautiful sea view and homely cul-de-sac and says she was willing to take the risk as she “can’t live forever.”
Now, 13 years on, Angie is still living happily at the property with her dog, and claims she’s barely noticed the effects of the erosion she was warned about.
Angie, who works as a receptionist at a local holiday park, said: “Since I moved in I’ve probably noticed two or three bucketfuls of clay fall from the cliff edge.
“But my garden is about 18 feet (5.49 m) from the precipice, so I’m confident I’ve got a while left until it becomes a real threat.
“The way I see it, I have the best sea view around which I get to look at every day. I love it here.”
In Scratby, it is the wind, rain and frost which cause the clay cliff edge to erode.
Angie says it’s at its worse when there has been heavy rain, and the common across from her bungalow gets wet and expands – pushing bits of land off the cliff edge.
But she has praised her property, which she bought for £70,000, for how it’s stood firm throughout the harsh weather.
Angie said: “My bungalow is non-standard construction but I have a lot of brickwork in the walls.
“Past owners have also completed extensions and modernized bits of the house so that’s been a big help.
“The clay deals with the weather a lot better than sand does- that’s why the homes in Hemsby are facing the same problem but on a much larger scale.
“I admit that eventually there may come a time when my home will succumb to erosion but I don’t think it will be in my lifetime.
“I’m more worried about my dog falling off the 60-foot cliff which happened a few years ago.
“He fell into some brambles, but thankfully he’s a tough cookie, so he was alright!”
There are 19 homes in the cul-de-sac on Scratby Crescent where Angie’s home is located.
Out of the 19 properties, Angie admits herself, number one, number 18, number 19 and number 20 are likely the most at risk. Owners of neighboring properties declined to comment.
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
Get news, handpicked just for you, in your box.
