Guidance

Coastal erosion assistance grant

Published 28 January 2025

Applies to England

1. The coastal erosion assistance grant

The Environment Agency administers and assures the coastal erosion assistance grant (CEAG) on behalf of Defra. A grant of £6,000 per property is available to support the prompt and safe demolition of homes at greatest risk of loss from erosion.

It is provided to:

• prevent harm - through building material not ending up on a beach or in the sea
• reduce dereliction 
• remove some of the burden associated with the immediate practical difficulties of losing a home

It is meant for those properties:

• at the greatest risk of coastal erosion
• where prompt action will reduce the impact on the owner and wider community

2. Applying for the grant

Local authorities can apply for the grant to help with the initial transitional costs associated with loss of a residential property. They can do this if there is no alternative available, for example property insurance.

The main aim of the grant is to help with:

• the costs associated with demolishing residential property at risk of loss
• basic moving costs if it is appropriate

Basic moving costs could include:

• redirecting post
• re-connecting services
• adjusting furnishings and fittings
• arranging the removal of contents

A local authority should use its discretion to decide whether to use the grant for moving costs.  For example, it may be more appropriate to do this if the property is the sole home of the owner. 

Local authorities should decide how the grant is allocated on a case-by-case basis. In exceptional circumstances, supported by strong evidence, a local authority may make a case for a higher level of grant support. 

As part of the application local authorities will be required to certify that the demolition meets the aims and criteria of the grant. The demolition should reduce the:

• risk
• impact on a community

3. Eligibility criteria for the CEAG

You can find the grant criteria in the application form and grant guidance document. Local authorities can request this from the Environment Agency using the details in section 5.

A property is eligible for the CEAG if:

• it is within a coastal erosion risk zone as shown on the National Coastal Erosion Risk Map – using the present day climate to 2055 with SMP management approach delivered scenario
• it is a non-mobile, residential property
• it was purchased by the current owner before 15 June 2009
• any demolition work was carried out after this date
• it will be demolished under the requirement of the local authority
• it is not eligible for support with demolition costs from alternative provisions - for example insurance

You should submit evidence to show that the property is residential and that the grant is a contribution towards the total demolition and removal costs. Evidence includes:

• maps or aerial photography of the sites
• title register or title plan
• invoices for demolition costs
• invoices for additional survey costs - for example bat or asbestos surveys

4. Local authorities can apply retrospectively

The guidance document shows that the local authority can apply for and use the funds with their own discretion. The demolition of a property might be the initial prompt to apply. Equally the actual loss of or damage to the building from erosion may be a reason to apply.

5. Contact us 

Local authorities should contact the Environment Agency and request an application form and the associated guidance. You can also email coastalresilience@environment-agency.gov.uk if you have any questions about the grant.