Defiant neighbours living metres from a major cliff fall have vowed “we’re staying put”.

Rocks crashed from the crumbling cliff at Newhaven on Sunday and fell into the sea. More of the rockface was left dangling precariously.
But people living in mobile homes on Newhaven Heights Park have no plans to move out.

The Argus:

Despite being only metres from where the fall happened, residents at the park in Court Farm Road said they are not worried about the erosion.


John Catt, 77, who moved in only five weeks ago, said: “I love it here. 
“People don’t worry about the erosion. We don’t talk about it. I moved here from Saltdean and I knew bits and pieces would fall into the sea.
“I’ll leave this home to my son.”

The Argus: John Catt was not deterred from moving into Newhaven Heights Park by cliff erosion issues John Catt was not deterred from moving into Newhaven Heights Park by cliff erosion issues (Image: The Argus)

READ MORE: Newhaven cliff fall just metres from seaside mobile home park

Mansell Dabson, 90, who has lived there for eight years, said the erosion was “awful” but he does not want to move.
He said: “We don’t quite know where the recent cliff fall was but you must not go to the cliff’s edge. People used to come up here to picnic, but you can’t do that now.”

The Argus: Mansell Dabson thinks it's too early to worry about cliff erosionMansell Dabson thinks it's too early to worry about cliff erosion (Image: The Argus)

Another neighbour, an 85-year-old woman who asked not to be named, said she has lived there for 17 years and plans to stay.
She said: “It is nature. I am not worried about it. During the weekend and the school holidays, it’s quite busy here. People don’t seem to be worried about the cliff falls.”

The Argus: Newhaven Heights Park resident Beryl is not worried about the cliff erosion near her home

Michael Marrington, 70, who has at the park since 2005, said the cliff erosion “does seem to be getting worse” but he could not afford to move.
He said: “When we first moved in, there was more land here. We plan on staying here as we haven’t got another £300,000 to spend on a home.”

The Argus: Michael Marrington said no one is dealing with the erosion issues because they are costly Michael Marrington said no one is dealing with the erosion issues because they are costly (Image: The Argus)

The neighbours said the cliff erosion is part of nature and there is nothing they can do about it and while it may become dangerous in a few years, they do not feel unsafe now.
Berkeley Parks runs the residential park and homes cost over £160,000.
A spokesman said: “Berkeley Parks are aware of the recent cliff erosion that occurred adjacent to our Newhaven Heights Park which has not affected our park or any residents’ homes.
“Whilst we will continue to monitor this, the cliff is not within the park land ownership, and following the Coastal Erosion Management Plan completed by Lewes District Council we understand that coastal erosion will naturally occur so at the current time we will continue to monitor and work with the authorities of expertise.”