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Huge landslide at Minster in Sheppey sees cliffs plunge 70ft into sea

00:01, 01 October 2016

A massive landslide has changed the face of Sheppey after two acres of cliff plunged into the sea at Minster.

Heavy rain sent mud sliding down the embankment next to Ashcroft Coast Holiday Park near Plough Lane.

Three years ago a similar landslide caused park bosses to move a line of caravans.

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Two acres of cliff at Minster dropped 70ft
Two acres of cliff at Minster dropped 70ft

Housewife Sheena Trott said: “You wouldn’t believe it if you didn’t see it yourself. Two acres of farmland, complete with trees and 15 stacked hay bales, have just dropped 70 feet.

“It’s like a giant arm from the sea has removed the base and the land has tumbled down in one piece. It’s bizarre.”

She added: “I was speaking to a couple who were looking out of their caravan’s veranda in the morning and noticed they had a different view.

VIDEO: The landslide has changed the face of Sheppey

"It took them a while to realise that an entire row of trees which had been there for 20 years had suddenly disappeared. It’s amazing.”

Her son Mike, 25, took photos. And his friend Lee Hatch uploaded video to the Today On Sheppey Facebook page.

Lee had been sleeping in a caravan and said he heard a very loud noise one night last week during torrential rain which might have been the landslip.

Coastguard Ian Goodwin said: “It is the most significant landslide in the 18 years I have been patrolling Sheppey.

Royal British Legion branch chairman for Sheppey, Ian Goodwin
Royal British Legion branch chairman for Sheppey, Ian Goodwin

“Colleagues estimate it is the size of two football pitches. I gather some people heard rumbling overnight and woke up to a different view.”

He warned: “All cliffs are liable to collapse. People should exercise caution and keep away from the edge.”

In August, Island farmer Stephen Attwood and his son James unveiled a massive £500 million scheme to pin back the crumbling cliffs with a four-mile sea wall and build a giant coastal country park.

Mr Attwood said: “This latest landslip perfectly illustrates the case for action.”

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