We have been pressured out of our dream residence on Britain’s most eroded shoreline after Storm Goretti – however nobody will assist us

An elderly couple forced from their dream retirement home on one of Britain’s fastest-eroding coastlines have told of the devastation of losing everything with just days’ notice from the council. 

Glenda and Michael Dennington were ordered to leave their seaside bungalow in Hemsby, Norfolk, after Storm Goretti caused severe coastal erosion, leaving the property unsafe.

Writing to the Daily Mail, the couple said the experience had been ‘devastating’ and accused authorities and insurers of failing to help those losing their homes in this way.

‘Erosion is happening all around the country, with devastating effects. We ourselves have recently lost our home. 

‘We were given one day’s notice to get out, then a further two days to clear the property. Volunteers helped us or we would have lost everything.

‘The local council have given very little assistance to people losing their homes. We don’t know what help other areas are getting.

‘Isn’t it time the Government became involved and got teams together to provide assistance?’

The couple, both in their 80s, said they felt ‘like second-class citizens’ after being forced out of the bungalow they had hoped would be their final home.

Glenda and Michael Dennington were ordered to leave their seaside bungalow in Hemsby, Norfolk, after winter storms and Storm Goretticaused severe coastal erosion, leaving the property unsafe

Writing to the Daily Mail, the couple said the experience had been ‘devastating’ and accused authorities and insurers of failing to help those losing their homes in this way

In this aerial view properties stand next to rapidly eroding cliffs, on January 19, 2026 in Hemsby, England

Mrs Dennington was left in tears as they packed up their belongings and left the property, which she described as their ‘final resting home’. The bungalow now stands empty and is due to be demolished this week.

The couple, along with their dog Rusty, have since moved into temporary accommodation at a nearby holiday chalet which they managed to rent themselves.

Mr Dennington, 82, is recovering from a major hip operation carried out just days before he was told the house was no longer safe. He said the shock had compounded an already traumatic period for the family.

In even worse news for the couple their insurance has told them that they will not cover coastal erosion, leaving them with no financial safety net. 

Mrs Dennington said she was repeatedly asked when assessors could visit the property – despite explaining that the house would soon no longer exist. 

‘The insurance company doesn’t want to know. Sometimes I wonder why we have insurance – ourselves, my son and a neighbour tried to claim for roof damage caused by relentless winds over a period of days. 

‘However, the insurance stated that the wind needed to blow above 55 miles an hour on one day for us to be covered.

‘I accept that erosion is not covered on a buildings policy, although the wind contributed to it. We had to leave items in the house and they say that is not covered – but storm damage would have been covered.

‘Apparently we were covered originally for storage, accommodation and various other costs.’

‘However, we had to sign the house over to the council, which we did on January 12. The insurance company now say we are not covered, despite the fact that we put in a claim on January 8 when the property was ours. We have since rung and emailed them but no response.’

Mrs Dennington was left in tears as they packed up their belongings and left the property, which she described as their ‘final resting home’

Recent bad weather, including Storm Goretti has seen almost 10 metres of land lost to coastal erosion in Hemsby

Properties being demolished close to the cliff edge at Hemsby in Norfolk which are at risk of collapse as high tides cut into sandy cliffs

He described retiring by the sea as a lifelong dream that had suddenly been ripped away, leaving them facing an uncertain future and the prospect of spending their life savings simply to survive.

His wife Glenda, 80, has been left to deal with the emotional and physical toll of trying to salvage and store their possessions while caring for her husband during his recovery.

She said the ordeal had been ‘horrendous from start to finish’ and that the lack of meaningful support had left them feeling abandoned.

The coastline of Hembsy has changed significantly in five decades, once being protected by rolling sand dunes with rows of homes set safely behind them. 

Now those dunes have disappeared, and dozens of properties have been lost to the sea. In the past month alone, 14 homes have been demolished, with rubble removed by the local lifeboat station.

Mrs Dennington said she is trying to take each day as it comes but admitted the emotional strain is overwhelming.

Hemsby is not alone. Homes are also being demolished at Thorpeness in Suffolk, where several more remain at risk. 

Experts have warned that undefended coastal villages like Hemsby may have no long-term future, with this stretch of the Norfolk coast described as among the fastest-eroding in northern Europe.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has been approached for comment.