Government policy regarding rising Sea Levels is "managed" retreat. Predicted that by 2100 sea levels will be 1 metre higher; websites show the impact. However, Climate Change appears to be accelerating. Even at 1 metre, small parts of RAF Mildenhall, which borders a depression stretching to Peterborough, are below sea level. At 3 metres a larger area is a salt water lagoon unless the Wash's sea defences are improved. Initially improved local drainage and pumping would keep most of the Fens/base dry but vulnerable to localised flash flooding which is increasing (Boscastle) or prolonged rain (the Somerset Levels).
If the base closes by 2025+ and after a clean up building might start after 2030+.
However, house mortgages are often for 25 years, and the Government deal on flood insurance does not apply to new build, thus dissuading building on flood plains. So, if the Government's flood policy remains unchanged it might be difficult to sell some new "base" houses.
What does this mean. Either the Government will go Dutch on sea defences, even then it might only defend other more valuable areas, or in the long term it will write off large areas of the Fens to become a nice fresh water green/environmental marsh, defend limited areas and direct new building to safer areas. I can't believe that they won't keep the sea out. So Mildenhall might still be built on.
I bet you did not expect that! Perhaps the USAF did.
I would recommend checking the maps predicting future coastal changes, they are worrying.
Filmman
