Reydon moveable homes could be answer to costal erosion, family says

Easton Bavents Ltd Artists impression of what the homes could look likeEaston Bavents Ltd
The homes will only be built in Reydon, Suffolk, if plans are approved by East Suffolk Council

Four demountable and moveable homes could be a "creative and innovative" solution to coastal erosion, a landowner has claimed.

Anne Jones said building the structures on her family's land at Reydon, Suffolk, could replace their houses that were already lost to the sea.

The plans are due to be considered by East Suffolk Council.

The properties are designed so they can be dismantled and rebuilt further inland if threatened.

Guy Campbell/BBC Anne JonesGuy Campbell/BBC
Anne Jones said her family's business had had to adapt to the challenges that coastal erosion had brought them

Ms Jones is company director at Easton Bavents Ltd.

The firm is seeking permission to erect the homes on its land to the east of Lowestoft Road, that Ms Jones's family have farmed for more than 100 years.

"We think the application is a creative and innovative solution to the coastal erosion situation," she said.

"We lost three cottages five years ago now due to the erosion and the fourth is likely to need to be demolished within the next 20 years and we're looking to replace them with modern sustainable properties with air source heating and solar panels.

"They are built with timber and it means that if they do get to the end of their life at that site, they can be easily demounted and moved to another site."

Guy Campbell/BBC Remains of a house on a beachGuy Campbell/BBC
Coastal erosion can be seen on the beach in Reydon, Suffolk

Due to the loss of the cottages, which were let out, the company lost "a huge chunk of our income", she added.

A spokesman for East Suffolk Council said it received an application on 8 December for "four residential properties to be built to replace three cottages already lost to erosion and one house due to be lost in the next 20 years".

"A consultation process is currently underway ahead of consideration and determination of the proposals," he added.

Guy Campbell/BBC A house in Reydon, SuffolkGuy Campbell/BBC
Just one cottage, when there used to be three, remains on land owned by Easton Bavents Ltd
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