A new harbour could be created on the county’s coastline as part of a new coastal defence strategy.

It would be similar to wildlife-rich Pagham Harbour, a designated local nature reserve, just a few miles away, and the county maintains it would have a ‘positive impact’ for generations to come – according to West Sussex County Council.

But the authority’s comments, made in response to a new Pagham to East Head coastal strategy, come with a warning about concerns over national funding mechanisms for coastal defence, which could cause problems over such a project. (more…)

Rising sea levels will have a major impact on the South East’s coastline over the decades to come. It could result in the map of the region being completely redrawn. Even those miles from the sea could end up living under water. (more…)

Deadline day has passed for residents to submit their views on the plans for coastal defence between Pagham and East Head.

More than 1,000 people attended exhibitions held by the Environment Agency (EA) for the Pagham to East Head draft coastal defence strategy. (more…)

Further coastal defences along the Felpham and Middleton frontages could be proposed. The latest proposals to hold back the sea will be contained in the new River Arun to Pagham coastal defence strategy. (more…)

More than 1,200 people made their views known about plans to tackle flood and erosion in West Sussex.

About 1,000 residents visited four exhibitions on the draft Pagham to East Head coastal defence strategy between May and August. (more…)

The ‘Defend Our Coast Association‘ ( or DOC for short), set up by local people living on the Romney Marsh to campaign for local involvement and consultation in the preparation of Shoreline Management Plans for the Sussex / Kent coast have just launched a new website.

The published Shoreline Management Plan (Folkestone to Cliff End) contained various recommendations which caused great concerns to areas all along our stretch of coast and particularly its recommendations of ‘Managed Retreat” in some areas has put the Marsh at an increased risk of flooding and blighted properties on these specific frontages.

www.defendourcoast.org.uk

Bulldozers have been brought in at Medmerry to bolster its sea defences in preparation for some of the highest tides of the year.

The shingle bank at the low-lying area of Medmerry will be strengthened by the Environment Agency (EA) to prevent damage from the sea this autumn. (more…)

DIRECTORS of a thriving beach resort have thrown their weight behind controversial sea defence proposals for East Head and West Wittering and are urging others to follow in their footsteps.

Managers at the West Wittering Estate have given the thumbs-up to the Environment Agency’s (EA) plans to protect the coastline by adaptive management.

They also want to see East Head and Snowhill Creek safeguarded. The EA’s recommendations are outlined in the Pagham to East Head draft coastal defence strategy.

Read the full story in the West Sussex County Times

Bolstering Pagham’s sea defences needs to be done urgently, a senior county councillor has said.

Cllr Deborah Urquhart said: “This is a high priority because decisions will need to be made quickly to ensure a satisfactory standard of defence is maintained at Pagham beach.”

It was important to understand the coastal processes that were putting 160 properties on Pagham beach and a further 350 nearby properties at risk of flooding.

Quick fixes which could make the long-term situation worse should be avoided. (more…)

The prospect of invasion has occupied the minds of those living on the southern fringes of England for centuries, although the threat from Napoleon has long since receded and a scattering of pillboxes on the hillside is the only hint of the cross-Channel menace once posed by Hitler.

The prospect of invasion has occupied the minds of those living on the southern fringes of England for centuries, although the threat from Napoleon has long since receded and a scattering of pillboxes on the hillside is the only hint of the cross-Channel menace once posed by Hitler.

But in the beautiful Cuckmere valley, Sussex, they are preparing to take on their most implacable foe. The scene is set for the biggest challenge: The People versus The Sea.

Full story by Paul Peachy in the Independent

Also, articles in this edition on Happisburgh, and learning lessons from Dunwich