Thousands of holiday homes and caravans could have to be abandoned unless millions can be found to shore up West Norfolk’s sea defences.

Options for managing flood risk along the shores of The Wash were yesterday revealed by the Environment Agency.

They ranged from holding the line until 2025, followed by a managed retreat in some areas; to holding the line until the year 2105, at an estimated cost of £45m.

Nigel Woonton, the EA’s regional head of flood management, said sea levels in the area had risen by 4cm since 1990 and were expected to rise by up to 1m by 2100.

“We need to start planning for an increase in sea levels,” he said. “In addition to sea level rise, the indications are we will have more flooding, more lightning events, more heat waves and more extreme events to contend with.”

More than 3000 holiday homes, ranging from static caravans to chalets, bungalows and beach huts occupy the strip of land which runs between the outer sea wall and a secondary earth bank, which stretch between Snettisham and Hunstanton’s South Beach.

Mr Woonton said maintaining the outer wall until 2025 would cost £12m, while holding the line beyond 2025 would cost £45m. Managed retreat, with the secondary earth bank becoming the first line of defence after 2025, would cost £22m.

He said there was no preferred option and there would be extensive consultation this autumn, before a definitive Shoreline Management Plan was drawn up.

“These are obviously very difficult issues to contend with,” he added. “But we need to start to start planning for climate change now.”

John Norton, West Norfolk council’s head of regeneration, said: “When you think of the importance of tourism, this is a significant part of what we’re about as a borough, it plays an important part in the local economy.”

Site owners and businesses earlier heard the cost of maintaining defences would come to £430 per caravan or holiday home a year.

“Initial indications are that they would be willing to contribute towards the cost of holding the line,” said Mr Norton.

Richard Searle, chairman of Searles of Hunstanton, said each caravan pitch brought £15 – £20,000 into the local economy.

The family-run holiday business has just spent £12m creating a hotel and golf complex at Heacham Manor.

If the decision is taken to hold the line, funding would have to come from a range of sources, including central government, business rate and businesses themselves.

“We want the decision made as soon as possible to enable us to carry on investing,” said Mr Searle.

This summer has been a bumper one for an industry which employs up to 5000 locally, with families choosing to spend their holidays nearer home.

But behind the beaches, stark reminders remain of the last time sea defences between Snettisham and Hunstanton were overwhelmed.

More than 30 died in January 1953, when a 2m storm surge swept the coastline.

Consultation over the management plan begins this autumn. EA flood risk manager Peta Denham said: “While we can offer scenarios for the future of this beautiful coastline, we are keen to work with the community to find a way forward together.

“There will be other consultation events held in the area in the autumn and I would encourage everyone to come along and find out more.”

Meetings will be held in King’s Lynn and Hunstanton in October. For more information, contact washSMP@environment-agency.gov.uk .

Story by Chris Bishop in the Eastern Daily Press