Steps leading down to the beaches around the Seven Sisters cliffs will be relocated because of coastal erosion.

Planning permission has been granted to allow Wealden District Council to build the new steps in the Birling Gap.

The Seven Sisters cliffs, from Seaford to Beachy Head, are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and part of the South Downs National Park.

The new staircase will be built 3m (9.8ft) inland from its current position.

Johanna Howell, who is the cabinet member for community and the voluntary sector at the council, said: “The staircase, which provides the only access down to one of the most photographed locations in England, becomes more vulnerable as the cliff behind it is continually eroded.

“The staircase is designed to be periodically moved back to the cliff side as the rock face is washed away by the sea.

“With another season of winter storms on its way, we felt it was best to be prepared so that any necessary re-siting can be carried out as quickly as possible.”

The staircase was last moved in 2002.

Story on the BBC News website

Large parts of the Sussex coastline will disappear into the sea within 15 years, a Government report has revealed.

A study by the Environment Agency into coastal defences across Sussex highlights more than ten miles of the shoreline which will be lost to erosion.

Newhaven, Seaford and beauty spots such as Birling Gap are all listed as being affected by damage caused by the sea because of a lack of protection.

And the report warns as much as 20 metres of land could be lost in some places by 2025.

The study has been drawn up to show communities how erosion could affect where they live.

Newhaven’s coastline from Newhaven Heights to the harbour is predicted to have been eroded by up to 20 metres by 2025.

The report is grim reading for those parts of Sussex which currently have defences, too.

Properties along the coast through Brighton and Hove, Shoreham, Worthing and Littlehampton are assessed as being at “significant” risk of flooding, along with homes and businesses near the banks of the Arun, Adur and Ouse.

Lewes MP Norman Baker yesterday (November 20) vowed to take the Newhaven’s shoreline policy up with the Environment Agency.

He said: “The climate change chickens are coming home to roost.

“We have already seen cottage after cottage in Birling Gap go into the sea.

“There has always been erosion but it has now accelerated.”

Judith Ost, the leader of Newhaven Town Council, said: “While I would like the area protected from erosion, currently industrial sites in Newhaven are at very real risk of flooding and this needs to be addressed.”

Environment Minister Richard Benyon said: “Coastal erosion is a natural process and while we can’t defend every single section of cliff or beach.”

The Government is spending £2.1 billion tackling erosion and flooding.

See the Environment Agency maps showing coastal erosion areas, here.

Story in The Argus

The owners of a cliff-top property threatened by coastal erosion in East Sussex have spent more than £80,000 moving their house inland.

Geoff and Ann Nash have moved back into the Boathouse in Birling Gap, East Dean, four months after the move began.

The front door of their 1900s-built house is now 72ft (22m) further back from the crumbling cliff.

The couple moved into the Boathouse 16 years ago, despite knowing that the cliff was eroding.

The original Boathouse is thought to have been demolished and replaced in the 1970s.

Mr Nash, 75, said: “Each year it was getting a bit closer and we thought it was about time we moved in case there was a major case of erosion.”

He said he called about 10 organisations including Defra and the Environment Agency about grants for moving his house but no funding was available and he had to fund the project himself.

Builder Bill Coote said the wooden building had to be split in two before it was moved.

Story with video clip on BBC News