Artist on the edge for celebrations

Kane Cunningham says he is putting up decorations for his Last

Christmas after the distance between the property and a drop into National Trust woodland far below narrowed to just eight feet.

The semi-detached two- bedroom property was one of a number of homes on the private estate of Knipe Point, near Filey, which have been brought closer to crumbling cliffs by devastating landslips in Cayton Woods below.

The problem – which is nothing to do with coastal erosion – has been caused by major flooding of the woods, possibly of prehistoric glacial origin, which has undermined the fringes of the higher ground on which Knipe Point was built.

Mr Cunningham's pied--terre used to be worth 160,000 as a home – but that was before landslips destabilised the cliffs, forcing the three homes closest to the brink to be demolished two years ago because they were in danger of tumbling down the steep drop into the woods.

The property was put up for sale for just 3,000 but even that knock-down price failed to attract a single buyer until Mr Cunningham clapped eyes on the place and saw it both as a studio, and "blank canvas".

He has filmed spectacular sunrises, used the ever-shrinking and now tiny garden to paint stunning landscapes.

He has even drawn on the walls of the house as he waits for it to fall down.

According to the National Trust, which owns the Cayton Woods, there is no immediate danger of that happening.

Officials say Scarborough Council is monitoring the situation and they are not aware of any immediate risk to any more of the properties.

Local residents have also made clear in the past that they do no agree with the artist's views or his courting of media attention, which they are sure will only serve to further devalue property prices for no reason.

Opinion may be divided but Mr Cunningham, 49, determined to bring some festive cheer to the area, fears that as he puts up his 6ft Christmas tree this year it will be for the last time.

He continued: "It could go at any time – tonight, in three days or in three months.

"I couldn't resist buying the tree. I doubt there will be a more picturesque or unlikely location for a Christmas tree in the whole of the UK.

"I would certainly be very surprised if it made it to another Christmas, but I wanted to try and make the most of the house because I will miss it when it's gone."

For the location has not only been a place to paint. It has also been an inspiration.

"Over the last year it has been an ideal studio and blank canvas for me," he added.

"Where else would I be able to paint directly on to the walls? It's a true live art project."

But to Mr Cunningham his property investment is more than just a place by the sea.

"It also represents to me all sorts of ideas to do with the credit crunch and mortgages and the environment," he added.

'It's the perfect site – a stark reminder of lost dreams, financial disaster and threatening sea levels.

"It's global recession and global warming encapsulated."

Despite its precarious setting, the property is in full working order with running water, electricity and is furnished with a sofa and dining table.

The artist even held a Last Supper at the house earlier this year with a guest list that included former Cabinet Minister Clare Short – to toast the property and also discuss climate change.

The artist is a Scarborough resident and a lecturer in Fine Art .

He added: "The bottom line is that Knipe Point is a story of human misery, but we want to get something more creative and positive out of it.

"It's a work of art which alludes to other issues, which are very important.

"But saying that, it doesn't change things for the rest of the people on the estate. The house must have one of the most amazing views along this coast."

Cash lifeline may be cut short

A 1m lifeline was offered to residents of Knipe Point from the Government to buy land for the house-holders if their homes are lost.

Scarborough Council lined up the funding after becoming one of only 15 local authorities selected for the Pathfinder scheme to test new ways of dealing with coastal problems.

But as reported by the Yorkshire Post, bureaucracy and nature seldom work hand in glove.

Since the initial three properties had to be demolished in 2008, no further properties have been lost.

Scarborough Council says the risk remains to those properties by the cliff.

But the Pathfinder project is only predicted to run until the end of March, and may then be wound up.