Groundsure launch new CoastClear initiative

With roughly 500 miles of coastline in our region, and as an island nation, the shrinking coastlines and coastal erosion is a growing concern for homebuyers and solicitors alike.

Cases like Hemsby in Norfolk where extreme weather, caused by climate change, has led to houses falling into the sea could become a more frequent reality - especially in the East Anglian region.  We are pleased to be partnering with Groundsure for a new initiative, CoastClear, to raise awareness of the risks to property associated with coastal erosion for both consumers and professionals.  

So, what is coastal erosion? Coastal erosion is the process where the sea gradually wears away land on a coastline. Waves hitting the shoreline pull materials like sand and rock back into the sea. The relentless pounding and pulling gradually undermines cliff edges, causing sections to collapse. The increase in extreme weather over the last few years has sped up the process, affecting both the stability and value of coastal properties. It also increases the risk of coastal flooding, as natural flood defences are washed into the sea, putting thousands more properties at risk. It is a growing concern in many coastal regions, which threatens livelihoods, ecology and infrastructure.  

CoastClear is an essential guide to coastal erosion risk. Its aim is to help homebuyers, homeowners and solicitors educate and protect themselves from the growing threat caused by coastal erosion. With climate change eroding our cliffs and beaches and affecting our coastal communities, we must learn to adapt, understand what the future holds and be able to respond when we need to.

Last year the Law Society announced that the responsibility to warn a homebuyer about the risks of climate change lies with the conveyancer. With the increase in extreme weather due to climate change, it has never been more prevalent to warn against it. As a solicitor, you are already aware of the environmental searches needed to ensure you do your due diligence to guard against climate change risk factors. Coastal erosion risks represent a potentially catastrophic value loss for your client’s property asset, so it is essential to ensure that you can advise effectively where these situations may arise, ahead of completion.  

The aim of CoastClear is to create a regional network of high-quality solicitors, equipped to tackle matters in coastal regions, advising on coastal erosion risk where relevant. The scheme is free to join, and you can find out more about joining the scheme here. Not only has CoastClear been set up to help solicitors, but it is designed to be a vital resource for coastal homeowners wanting to sell their property and homebuyers looking to buy in coastal areas. Education on the potential risks involved in buying any property is always important, but even more so when it comes to coastal properties.  

The CoastClear scheme is a crucial step towards addressing the pressing issue of coastal erosion. By providing essential information and resources, CoastClear empowers homebuyers, homeowners, and solicitors to make informed decisions and take proactive measures to protect coastal properties. With climate change continuing to exacerbate the risks associated with coastal erosion, initiatives like CoastClear are vital in safeguarding our coastal communities and ensuring their resilience for the future. As a partner of Groundsure, we’re encouraging all Geodesys users to take part in the scheme. It will help solicitors better communicate Coastal Erosion to homebuyers and sellers, as well as understand the nuances of coastal communities. Find out more here.