Residents of Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire, are coming together in a desperate attempt to save their beloved beach huts from being swept away by the relentless sea.

These beach huts, collectively worth around £640,000, are at serious risk after being damaged by the fierce waves of Storm Herminia earlier this week.

The owners are now facing the possibility that one more storm could destroy their cabins, which are valued at up to £40,000 each.

A Coastal Crisis for the Hordle Beach Hut Owners

The row of beach huts in the village of Hordle, located on The Solent, has already suffered substantial damage.

The sea wall that once protected the area was breached, allowing the waves to wreak havoc.

Two of the cabins were washed away completely, while several others have been left severely damaged, teetering on the edge of collapse.

Local residents, who have spent years preserving these huts, fear that without intervention, their precious properties could be gone for good.

An Ongoing Battle with Nature and Council Inaction

This situation is further compounded by the apparent abandonment of the coastline by the New Forest District Council.

The local authorities have adopted a ‘do nothing’ approach to the ongoing erosion problem, leaving the beach huts to fend for themselves.

Naval architect James Cox, who has owned a hut in the area since 1999, expressed frustration with the council’s lack of action.

He has been involved in yearly efforts to maintain the huts, securing them to the ground and patching up damage.

While the council’s neglect continues, Cox and other owners are left to handle the situation on their own, with little hope for quick intervention from the authorities.

The Devastating Impact of Climate Change on the Coastline

The owners are increasingly aware that climate change is playing a significant role in the ongoing erosion of the coastline.

Jeannie Medd, one of the affected hut owners, shared her heartbreak over losing her beach hut for good.

After rebuilding her hut in 2015 following the Valentine’s Day storm of 2014, she now faces the reality that climate change is steadily worsening conditions.

The sea levels are rising, and as Medd puts it, “We have to accept the impact that is having on our stretch of coastline.”

Many others feel similarly, with the beach huts’ fate tied to the larger issue of rising sea levels and shifting coastlines.

Council Deflects Responsibility, Owners Left to Cope

Despite the devastating effects of coastal erosion, the New Forest District Council insists it has no legal obligation to protect the beach huts.

A spokesperson for the council pointed out that it is not required to manage flood and coastal erosion risks in the area.

While the council expressed sympathy for the owners, it advised that anyone considering the purchase of a beach hut near the coast should be aware of the risks involved and undertake due diligence.

This policy of “managed realignment” means the area is expected to continue experiencing change, with no active defense strategies in place to stop the erosion.

The situation in Milford-on-Sea reflects a larger trend across the UK, where the effects of climate change are forcing communities to confront the reality of coastal erosion.

As the debate over sea defense funding continues, many local residents are left to navigate the risks on their own.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn