Coast management and protection

Lewes District Council manages coast protection in the district with other agencies stretching from Saltdean in the west to Cuckmere in the east, some 14.5km of shoreline.

The Council has permissive powers to seek to manage the risks posed by coastal erosion. Along our coast we have 9.7km of cliffs. Likewise the Environment Agency has permissive powers to assist in reducing the risk of flooding by the sea.

Our coast defence works focus on the frontage from Saltdean to Peacehaven. We plan over the next 25 years to continue to undertake repairs to the existing defences as long as there is sufficient funding and it is technically feasible and safe to do so. Programmed repairs take place in early summer and early autumn.

We will continue to survey the rates of erosion along the cliffs both where there are sea defences at the foot of the cliffs and where there are no defences. Working with critical partners we will continue to take a long-term perspective of how we manage the coast later this century. The cliffs between Peacehaven Heights and Newhaven, and at Seaford Head, do not have any coast defences, nor are any proposed. In these locations, there is little or no development and the cliffs will continue to erode naturally providing a vital habitat to seabirds and the beauty of a wild coast.

Agencies responsible for coastal protection

Newhaven Port and Properties are responsible for Newhaven Harbour and the mouth of the Ouse, which they maintain for navigation purposes.

The Environment Agency (EA) manage and maintain the sea defences that protect Seaford and Bishopstone areas of Seaford Bay. The defences include a large shingle beach that protects a substantial sea wall, and terminal groyne at Splash Point. This reduces the loss of shingle as it moves west to east because of long shore drift. Most years the Environment Agency undertakes works in October to recycle the shingle and reshape the beach for the winter storms, and then further works after winter in March. At the far eastern end of our coastal frontage the EA can at times undertake the works to ensure the estuary mouth is clear of shingle.

The sea defences that protect the coastguard cottages are owned and maintained by the property owners.

Management of the coast

Management of the Sussex Coast between Selsey Bill and Beachy Head is guided by a Shoreline Management Plan. This Plan provides a framework for the coast for the rest of the Century. The plan is produced by the  South East Coastal Group.  

• Shoreline Management Plan 

You can find up-to-date coastal erosion and flooding maps and other information at:

• Check coastal erosion risk for your area - GOV.UK 
• Check the long term flood risk for your area - GOV.UK 

You can also find information about managing your flood risk at: lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk - Flooding 

Brighton Marina to Newhaven Coastal Management Implementation Plan

In 2014 we commissioned a plan with Brighton and Hove City Council to help consider the options for managing the coastline over the next 100 years. This is available to download below.

The Brighton Marina to Newhaven Coastal Management Implementation Plan reviews and updates a number of previous studies to develop a single plan in-line with the current government flood and coastal risk management guidance.

The plan gives options for managing the five key sections of coastline frontage over the next 100 years which have been developed by the multi-agency project team in partnership with the Environment Agency.

The following steps have been taken to implement the plan:

• In recent years we have carried out studies into the feasibility of building new sea defences and when they would need to be built at Telscombe Cliffs. A community (non-technical) report on this work is also available to download below.
• We have explored what we will do the manage the existing sea defences from 2025 to 2050.
• If technically feasible and the funding is available, we will continue to maintain and repair where necessary the sea defences at East Saltdean and Peacehaven.
• We have carried out studies and will continue to do so to understand how the cliffs are developing at Newhaven Harbour Heights, through to Peacehaven.
• Working with colleagues at the Channel Coastal Observatory and the regional monitoring programme, we have implemented detailed assessment of cliff erosion and cliff development.
• We continue to work closely with East Sussex County Council, Brighton and Hove City Council, the Environment Agency and Southern Water.

Information sharing sessions

We have held information sharing sessions in June 2017 and October 2023. These provided an opportunity for residents to understand the challenges faced along the coast and the options for managing our coastline. It provided an opportunity for the people living close to the cliffs to speak to the organisations involved in developing and delivering the plan.

The presentation boards displayed at these sessions are available to download below. 

Coastal erosion management mailing list

To receive updates about future engagement events sign up for our coastal management and protection mailing list using our keep me posted email updates.

Coast protection

As 'Coast Protection Authority' we manage 8.4km of the total 12.9km frontage of the borough's coastline. 

Within the 8.4km, we look after:

• 94 timber groynes
• 3.65km of concrete seawalls
• 0.9km of rock revetments

Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme 

The Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme aims to increase the resilience of the area between Cooden Beach and Holywell to coastal flooding and erosion over the next 100 years.

It is one of the largest coastal flood risk projects in the country and will be delivered by the Environment Agency in partnership with Eastbourne Borough Council, East Sussex County Council, Rother District Council, Wealden District Council, JBA Consulting and VolkerStevin.

The scheme aims to provide protection from coastal flooding and erosion to:

• up to 18,000 properties (homes and businesses)
• key infrastructure including transport and utilities
• heritage sites
• nature conservation areas

In addition, it aims to:

• increase biodiversity by 20%
• reduce carbon emissions generated in managing the coastline by at least 45% by 2030¹
• deliver wider community benefits.

The project covers 15km of coastline between Holywell, to the west of Eastbourne, through to Cooden Beach. The coastline is varied featuring chalk cliffs, shingle beaches, long promenades, heritage sites and a large marina. 

More information is available at the project website: 

Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Defence Project website

Coastal risk

Coastal risk is managed through a three tier framework - Shoreline Management Plans, Coastal Defence Strategies and individual capital schemes.  We follow a programme of repairs and maintenance (from the council's Revenue budget) as well as the Strategic Regional Coastal Monitoring Project.

Shoreline Management Plans

The purpose of a Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) is to provide a large scale assessment of the risks associated with coastal processes. It presents a policy framework to reduce those risks to people and the developed, historic and natural environment in a sustainable way. These plans provide the basis of sustainable coastal defence policies and set objectives for the future management of the coastline.

Eastbourne is covered by two SMPs:

• the Beachy Head to Selsey Bill SMP
• the South Foreland to Beachy Head

These plans are produced by the South East Coastal Group

• Shoreline Management Plan 

You can find up-to-date coastal erosion and flooding maps and other information at:

• Check coastal erosion risk for your area - GOV.UK 
• Check the long term flood risk for your area - GOV.UK 

You can also find information about managing your flood risk at: lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk - Flooding 

Coastal defence strategies

Flooding and erosion are real risks facing people and their properties along the Eastbourne coastline.

Within 100 years, as sea levels rise, it is predicted that several thousand homes in low lying areas will be at risk of flooding from a 1 in 200 chance event. In partnership with the Environment Agency and others, we have produced strategic recommendations in order to manage current and future risks along this part of the Sussex coast.

There are two strategies which involve the Eastbourne coastline:

1. Cuckmere to Redoubt
2. Redoubt to Cooden

You can find details and download the reports from the Southeast Coastal Group website.

The strategies identify the schemes which are required in the foreseeable future. Subject to council consideration, they will be included within the our Capital Programme and bids will be made to the Environment Agency for grant aid to fund the works.