Hemsby Marrams evacuee in temporary home now faces eviction

For 14 years, Kevin Jordan was enjoying his retirement overlooking the beach at the village near Great Yarmouth.

However, following the partial collapse of The Marrams service road in December, Mr Jordan was one of five people forced to evacuate and his home was demolished before falling into the sea.

Mr Jordan, 70, was placed in temporary accommodation while the council's housing team located a permanent residence.

The collapse of the Marrams Road led to the demolition of five more homes in the area in December. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)On Thursday, Mr Jordan was shown a ground-floor flat in Caister. But after he declined the offer, he was told he would be evicted from his temporary home.

A Great Yarmouth Borough Council spokesperson said the council was "obliged to follow statutory rules" when working with residents who require housing.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council said due to the limited availability of social housing, it cannot always meet applicants’ expectations. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)Kevin Jordan said: "I am absolutely flabbergasted.

"I didn't know how people in authority could be so heartless.

"I am sitting here in a daze thinking they're going to phone me any minute and it's my last chance."

Kevin Jordan said he would accept to make his temporary accommodation in Martham his permanent residence. Picture - Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)Mr Jordan said he declined the Caister property - which he described as "marginally smaller" than his current flat in Martham - as it was much further away from his friends and colleagues.

For 15 years, Mr Jordan was a parish councillor for Martham, serving as vice-chairman for three terms. He retired to Hemsby to "be free from the burden of mortgage and to be closer to the sea".

"But I was only a couple of miles away from my roots," said Mr Jordan. 

"I wouldn't have that in Caister."

The demolition of Kevin Jordan's Marrams home in December. Picture - Daniel Hickey (Image: Daniel Hickey)After he was was forced to leave his Hemsby home, Mr Jordan said he was asked what type of permanent residence he would be happy with. He informed the housing team he would like to live in a bungalow of a similar size to his Marrams home in either Hemsby, Martham or the northern villages.

Earlier this year, Mr Jordan said he was offered to stay in his temporary residence. But he declined it at the time as he was hopeful of getting a bungalow.

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COMMUNITY SUPPORT: People helped Kevin Jordan remove his possessions from his Marrams homes in December. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"If I would have known at the time that I could wait 12 months and then apply for a transfer, I would have said yes there and then," he added.

Mr Jordan said he was only informed about the 12-month transfer option at the Caister viewing on Thursday. Before the viewing, Mr Jordan said he had to decide whether to accept his new home that same day.

A bird's eye view of damage in Hemsby in December. Picture - Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)"On the phone, I said 'What if I don't like it? Don't I have options?' They said 'no, under the circumstances you will be evicted,'" said Mr Jordan.

"I can't believe how incredibly heartless the local authority is being. Especially after people like Sheila Oxtoby said they would do everything in their power to people of the Marrams and rehome them.

"They are false words.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council leader Carl Smith and GYBC chief executive Sheila Oxtoby on The Marrams. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)"All I can do is remind them that all this is happening because Great Yarmouth Borough Council and government policy abandoned Hemsby.

"I'm more numb now than I was when I was told they were going to knock my old home down.

"And now they treat me like this."

Mr Jordan said he would decline the offer for the Caister flat but would accept his current Martham residence.

"I will fight to stay here," he added.

GYBC's chief executive Sheila Oxtoby said the council is following the homeless legislation as they need to treat people equally and be fair to all residents who are in housing need.

She said: "We are seeing increased numbers of people in housing need and our teams work very hard to support people and at the same time to always be fair and transparent and operate within the law.

"We are very sympathetic to Mr Jordan’s situation but sadly we don’t have a ready supply of bungalows in the areas for which Mr Jordan has expressed a preference.

"However we would only offer a viewing to a suitable property in an area where the applicant has expressed an interest.

"We were not aware that Mr Jordan had expressed a wish to remain in his temporary accommodation and of course this can now be considered."