Decades of erosion leaves historic coastguard cottage teetering perilously over ... trends now
Decades of coastal erosion have left a historic coastguard cottage teetering just inches from a cliff edge as experts warn the arrival of Storm Ciaran could cause further damage and place it in even more peril.
The cottage, one of a seven-long terrace of homes built for coastguards between 1800 and 1820, is the latest which may face being torn down after its neighbour was demolished over four weeks in 2014.
The property at Birling Gap, near Eastbourne, East Sussex, is one of four left standing and will be the next to be pulled down as coastal erosion continues to threaten it.
With wind gusts already exceeding 100mph in the British Isles on Thursday and amber weather warnings in place along the south coast, it is feared Storm Ciaran could cause further erosion.
Two of the seven houses were previously demolished in 1994 and the early 2000s.
The cottage, one of a seven-long terrace of homes built for coastguards between 1800 and 1820, is the latest which may face being torn down after its neighbour was demolished over four weeks in 2014
The coastline at Birling Gap pictured in 1940, when all seven coastguard cottages remained intact
The historic cottage is now just inches away from the cliff edge
Particularly poor weather in 2014 meant that three metres of cliff being lost in just three months.
Engineer Graham Kean, of Wealden District Council, warned that the fourth cottage - which is now perilously close to the cliff edge - had a life expectancy of just 10 years, and in 2023, that life expectancy is coming to a close.
The National Trust, which is responsible for this stretch of coastline, has warned that with more extreme weather coastal erosion could accelerate.
The National Trust owns more than 740 miles (1,191km) of
