FAQs
Will Sovereign Harbour residents still be expected to contribute annually to the sea defence cost as they are legally required to now by a rent charge?
The Southern Water Charge, payable by most residents of Sovereign Harbour as part of the annual rent charge, is required as part of an agreement that was made when Sovereign Harbour was first constructed. The charge is payable in perpetuity and has no defined end date. Part of the charge is paid on behalf of Sovereign Harbour residents to the Environment Agency for two key activities: the by-pass of shingle sediment from the western rock harbour arm by road to the northeast beach (Littoral drift obligation) and for the maintenance and operation of coastal flood defences in the vicinity of Sovereign Harbour (Sea defence).
Residents sometimes ask if the end of the PCDL contract in 2025 changes anything about the rent charge payment. The contractual change in how these activities (Littoral drift obligation and Sea defence) are delivered does not affect the Southern Water Charge.
The coastal flood defence will always need to be constructed, operated and maintained to keep Sovereign Harbour residents resilient to the risk of flooding from the sea. Further, the by-passing of shingle will continue to be required as long as Sovereign Harbour is a barrier to natural shingle drift along the coastal frontage.
Why aren’t the groynes being replaced or improved during the interim project?
The Pevensey frontage is maintained as an open beach with a small number of groynes used to hold shingle. The approved funding for the interim project allows us to continue beach maintenance works in the same way for the next two years. This approach means that the old and deteriorated groynes in Pevensey will not be improved or replaced between 2025-2027. Improvements to 9 operational groynes in Pevensey are included in the plans for the medium-term (phase 1) project and the possibility of new groynes or rock revetments in the long-term have not been ruled out at this stage.
Would the current approach of beach re-shaping be sufficient to protect against a 1m sea level rise?
Shingle beach management is a good way of defending coastlines against coastal erosion and flooding, however it requires constant maintenance. It is not very sustainable in the long term as shingle must be brought in after being dredged elsewhere, making it a not very environmentally friendly process. Please see the medium-term (phase 1) project and long-term project pages on our website for more information on considerations relating to climate change predictions.
What impact does the shingle recycling, which reduces longshore drift out of the Pevensey area have on downdrift areas, such as Bexhill and Hastings?
Shingle recycling does reduce the amount of shingle that would naturally drift along the coast to the adjacent frontages, but we manage the activity carefully to ensure a sufficient volume is still allowed to move eastwards to Bexhill and beyond.
I am considering purchasing a property in the Pevensey area- how do I find out more about the local flood risk, future coastal flood defence plans for consideration and home insurance purposes?
You can request flood history for an area around an address or postcode here- https://www.gov.uk/request-flooding-history
You can find out more about long-term flood risk here- https://www.gov.uk/check-long-term-flood-risk
You can find out more about plans and timelines for the Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme on our website and sign up to receive newsletter updates.
The following link has more information about home insurance for flood cover- https://www.gov.uk/prepare-for-flooding/get-insurance
I would like to better protect my property from flooding how can I find out more?
Please visit the following website that provides further information- https://www.gov.uk/prepare-for-flooding
My property/ garden forms part of the coast defence (beach) is there anything I need to know if I plan to undertake works to it?
If your garden forms part of the coastal flood defence (beach) and you wish to undertake any works please first find out more about required flood risk activity permits at this link-https://www.gov.uk.uk/guidance/flood-risk-activities-environmental-permits.
If you are uncertain about whether a permit is required or wish to discuss an issue further you can email us at-pevenseyandeastbournecoast@environment-agency.gov.uk
How can I be kept updated on beach management activities?
Please complete our survey to register your interest in receiving updates directly and your communication preferences.
Our webpage will also be kept updated with the latest information.
I have photo’s/ video’s I would like to send you of the beach- how can I share them with you?
Please email them to our Scheme email address-pevenseyandeastbournecoast@environment-agency.gov.uk
How can I contact the Pevensey Bay Beach Manager?
Please email pevenseybeachmanager@environment-agency.gov.uk
How do I sign up to receive flood warnings?
Please visit the following website to sign up- https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings
Is there an emergency plan in place for flooding?
You can work with your community to develop a community flood plan to help you prepare and respond to flooding. Please visit Pevensey Parish Council and Wealden District Council webpages for further information on local emergency plans.
How do I report a flooding or environmental incident?
Please visit https://www.gov.uk/report-environmental-incident which has further information and contact details.