Long-term strategy (future phases)

The long-term strategy (future phases) is in the early stages of development. It will consider approaches to managing the coast from 2037 into the next century. We want to know what you value in the area, please help us by completing the survey to the right. If you are accessing from a mobile device you will need scroll down to the bottom of this page to take the survey.


Current estimates suggest that sea level may rise by 1.15m by 21001. Storm severity and frequency may also increase. However, forecasts vary because the global response to the climate emergency is uncertain. Therefore, a flexible plan is needed to allow decisions and interventions to be made as forecasts are updated.


The beach and cliffs at Holywell


We recognise that the implications for wider society and the environment are significant, and we are committed to working closely with professional partners and stakeholders to solve the problem together.

The long-term strategy (future phases) will be developed alongside local plans2 to ensure that future coastal management approaches align with the wider social and economic vision for the area.

Eastbourne Borough Council, Rother District Council, Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council are the current project partners for this phase of the scheme.


Planned timeline for the works

Pre-planning studies have been commissioned to understand the unique features of the area and to help us to determine what may be at risk by coastal erosion and flooding both now and in the future.

Following this, a flexible 100-year longer-term strategy (future phases) will be created which will outline how risks will be managed over the next century. This is known, within the industry, as a ‘coastal defence strategy’3. We will liaise with statutory bodies, wider stakeholders and the public to ensure all available information is considered.

The long-term strategy (future phases) will keep policies set in the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP)4, which was adopted in 2006, under review. It is possible that the long-term strategy may recommend a change in SMP policy.

A key aspect of the long-term strategy will be a series of interventions, designed with input from partners and the public. These will follow an adaptation pathways approach5. This involves continuous monitoring of existing defences and the latest sea level forecasts to determine when to implement the next phase of interventions.

Once the long-term strategy is finalised we will seek funding for future delivery phases (post 2037).


Environmental considerations

Environmental enhancements are included in the core project objectives. We aim to reduce carbon emissions and enhance biodiversity throughout scheme development and delivery.

All appropriate environmental assessments will be prepared as part of the long-term strategy.

For example,

  • A Strategic Environmental Assessment6 (SEA) will help to evaluate the environmental effects of the plan.
  • A Habitats Regulation Assessment7 (HRA) will be undertaken to determine the likely effects on protected and designated sites.
  • A Water Framework Directive assessment8 will be prepared to assess the impact of any plan or project on water bodies.

Planning for Nature Based Solutions (NBS)9 may help us to meet project objectives whilst providing environmental benefit in the future. Examples of NBS that are being investigated include artificial reefs and marine farms that may be able to absorb wave energy, capture carbon dioxide and increase biodiversity.


Artificial reef created using Arc Marine blocks


Footnotes

  1. Rise predicted by UK Climate Projection 18 (UKCP18) with high emissions scenario (Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 or RCP8.5) and using 95th percentile figures: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/ukcp/ukcp18-infographic-headline-findings-marine.pdf
  2. The Local Plan examination process and the role the Planning Inspectorate plays: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-plans#introduction
  3. Coastal defence strategies: https://se-coastalgroup.org.uk/coastal-defence-strategies
  4. Shoreline Management Plan (SMP): https://environment.data.gov.uk/shoreline-planning/subsection/SMP11/3
  5. Adaptation pathway programme: https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/adaptation-pathway-programme
  6. Strategic Environmental Assessment: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/strategic-environmental-assessment-and-sustainability-appraisal
  7. Habitats Regulation Assessment: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/habitats-regulations-assessments-protecting-a-european-site
  8. Water Framework Directive Assessment: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/water-framework-directive-assessment-estuarine-and-coastal-waters
  9. Nature Based Solutions: https://www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/what-are-nature-based-solutions


If you would like to know more about this phase of the project, please email PevenseyandEastbourneCoast@environment-agency.gov.uk

The long-term strategy (future phases) is in the early stages of development. It will consider approaches to managing the coast from 2037 into the next century. We want to know what you value in the area, please help us by completing the survey to the right. If you are accessing from a mobile device you will need scroll down to the bottom of this page to take the survey.


Current estimates suggest that sea level may rise by 1.15m by 21001. Storm severity and frequency may also increase. However, forecasts vary because the global response to the climate emergency is uncertain. Therefore, a flexible plan is needed to allow decisions and interventions to be made as forecasts are updated.


The beach and cliffs at Holywell


We recognise that the implications for wider society and the environment are significant, and we are committed to working closely with professional partners and stakeholders to solve the problem together.

The long-term strategy (future phases) will be developed alongside local plans2 to ensure that future coastal management approaches align with the wider social and economic vision for the area.

Eastbourne Borough Council, Rother District Council, Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council are the current project partners for this phase of the scheme.


Planned timeline for the works

Pre-planning studies have been commissioned to understand the unique features of the area and to help us to determine what may be at risk by coastal erosion and flooding both now and in the future.

Following this, a flexible 100-year longer-term strategy (future phases) will be created which will outline how risks will be managed over the next century. This is known, within the industry, as a ‘coastal defence strategy’3. We will liaise with statutory bodies, wider stakeholders and the public to ensure all available information is considered.

The long-term strategy (future phases) will keep policies set in the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP)4, which was adopted in 2006, under review. It is possible that the long-term strategy may recommend a change in SMP policy.

A key aspect of the long-term strategy will be a series of interventions, designed with input from partners and the public. These will follow an adaptation pathways approach5. This involves continuous monitoring of existing defences and the latest sea level forecasts to determine when to implement the next phase of interventions.

Once the long-term strategy is finalised we will seek funding for future delivery phases (post 2037).


Environmental considerations

Environmental enhancements are included in the core project objectives. We aim to reduce carbon emissions and enhance biodiversity throughout scheme development and delivery.

All appropriate environmental assessments will be prepared as part of the long-term strategy.

For example,

  • A Strategic Environmental Assessment6 (SEA) will help to evaluate the environmental effects of the plan.
  • A Habitats Regulation Assessment7 (HRA) will be undertaken to determine the likely effects on protected and designated sites.
  • A Water Framework Directive assessment8 will be prepared to assess the impact of any plan or project on water bodies.

Planning for Nature Based Solutions (NBS)9 may help us to meet project objectives whilst providing environmental benefit in the future. Examples of NBS that are being investigated include artificial reefs and marine farms that may be able to absorb wave energy, capture carbon dioxide and increase biodiversity.


Artificial reef created using Arc Marine blocks


Footnotes

  1. Rise predicted by UK Climate Projection 18 (UKCP18) with high emissions scenario (Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 or RCP8.5) and using 95th percentile figures: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/ukcp/ukcp18-infographic-headline-findings-marine.pdf
  2. The Local Plan examination process and the role the Planning Inspectorate plays: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-plans#introduction
  3. Coastal defence strategies: https://se-coastalgroup.org.uk/coastal-defence-strategies
  4. Shoreline Management Plan (SMP): https://environment.data.gov.uk/shoreline-planning/subsection/SMP11/3
  5. Adaptation pathway programme: https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/adaptation-pathway-programme
  6. Strategic Environmental Assessment: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/strategic-environmental-assessment-and-sustainability-appraisal
  7. Habitats Regulation Assessment: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/habitats-regulations-assessments-protecting-a-european-site
  8. Water Framework Directive Assessment: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/water-framework-directive-assessment-estuarine-and-coastal-waters
  9. Nature Based Solutions: https://www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/what-are-nature-based-solutions


If you would like to know more about this phase of the project, please email PevenseyandEastbourneCoast@environment-agency.gov.uk
Page published: 08 May 2025, 01:35 PM