With Specific Reference to a Case Study of Coastal Erosion, Assess the Relative Importance of Its Physical and Socio-Economic Consequences

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With specific reference to case study of coastal erosion, assess the relative importance of its physical and socio-economic consequences Holderness, which is located in East Yorskhire, is the fastest eroding coastline in Europe at an average rate of 1.8 metres per year and at Great Cowden the rate of erosion can be over 10 metres per year. The coastline is 61km long and stretches from Flamborough Head and Spurn Head. It is eroded easily due its cliff being made of boulder clay that is prone to slumping. The coastal erosion causes large impact on the local area. Firstly, property prices have dramatically fallen as the houses are at risk of erosion and falling off the edge therefore this leaves the owners in negative equity. Many businesses have to be closed down and sold for little or nothing due to them being so close to the cliff edge, with over 30 villages having been lost since Roman times. Plus, this loss of jobs causes young people to move away from the area and the area receives little or no investment to sustain local communities. Additionally, farms are being closed and being are being moved from their homes in areas where the coast is not protect, e.g. Cowden Farm owned by Sue Earl was lost to the sea. Moreover, £2 million has been spent at Mappleton to protect farms and a main road that is getting closer to the cliff edge. Similar to Mappleton, Withernsea spends millions every year to protect its population. A gas terminal in Easington is only 25m away from the cliff and accounts for 25% of Britain’s gas therefore a £7 million sea wall is being built to protect it. In addition, visitor numbers in Bridlington have dropped by over 30% from 1998 to 2006 as the beaches are narrow and the tourist industry is suffering; and with many settlements relying heavily on tourism, if they are not protected, their trade would diminish as facilities close down. This

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