A village and more than 1,000 acres of land would be lost to the sea if plans laid out in a blueprint for tackling erosion in Suffolk are accepted.

The Environment Agency’s Shoreline Management Plan calls for the continued defence of major towns and villages from flooding and coastal erosion.

But it also says over the next 30 to 40 years the village of Covehithe will be surrendered to the sea.

Property and historic sites in Easton Bavents and Dunwich will also be lost.

The plan, which goes before Suffolk County Council’s cabinet next Tuesday, also says:

• Sea defences at Lowestoft, Southwold and Felixstowe will be maintained
• The main area of Kessingland will be protected and the A12 will be defended
• Some land and property will be lost at Pakefield
• The historic village of Covehithe, including its 15th Century church, will be lost to the sea
• About 1,000 acres (400 hectares) of land between Kessingland and Southwold will be lost.

Edward Vere Nicoll, estate manager for The Benacre Estate – which owns a large portion of land at Covehithe and the surrounding area, hit out at the plan.

He accepted the need for a “managed retreat” of the coast, but not for the wholesale “sacrifice” of large tracts of land and a village.

He said the plan ignored the willingness of landowners to pay for work to help protect the coastline.

“Local people are all pretty disgusted and seriously worried about it,” he said.

A report to the council says due to rising sea levels, erosion risk management is a priority.

It recommends the Environment Agency plan be endorsed by the council, but Guy McGregor, portfolio holder for roads, transport and planning, stressed that any final decision is still open for discussion.

“We simply have to engage with communities, which is why it is going before our cabinet committee,” he said.

“We look forward to the discussion.”

Mr McGregor said that the cost involved in protecting some parts of the coast could be huge.

No-one from the Environment Agency was available for comment.

Story on the BBC News website