Short-Term (Interim) Project


Beach management background 2000-2025

9km of beach in Pevensey Bay, East Sussex, has been managed by Pevensey Coastal Defence Limited (PCDL) since the year 2000. Key activities include importing sediment and moving thousands of tonnes of shingle by dumper trucks to fight the forces of nature along the Sussex shore.

Beach management by PCDL has been carried out in accordance with a 25-year Environment Agency contract, which is called a Flood Defence Service Agreement (FDSA). This was the first sea defence project in the world to be funded as a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

PCDL has delivered a high level of flood protection over this timeframe and no significant flooding has occurred over the last 25 years.

The FDSA has effectively protected over 10,000 homes, businesses, transport links and services from coastal flooding and erosion.


The orange line on the map above shows the 9km beach managed by the FDSA. It stretches from Sovereign Harbour in the West to Bexhill in the East on the South Coast of England.


Short-term (Interim) Project Overview 2025-2027


Seafront at Pevensey Bay looking east from junction of Val Prinseps Road and Norman Road

The PCDL contract finishes at the end of May 2025. We are working to ensure the beach is returned to the Environment Agency in the required condition and the experience gained over the last 25 years is transferred.

From June 2025 the Environment Agency Interim Project will manage the 9km Pevensey frontage for two years with our contractor VolkerStevin undertaking operational beach activities. We are working closely together on the new contract to ensure we are fully prepared to start in June 2025.  As part of our preparations, we are undertaking training and testing our approach in mock storm events. 

The Interim Project will continue to provide the same Standard of Protection as the last 25 years for the Pevensey Bay community. The coastal defences are designed to withstand a really extreme storm- which has only a 0.25% chance of happening in any given year, without a breach. They also prevent significant water flowing over the defences in an extreme storm- which has only a 0.5% chance of happening in any given year.

We will also be managing the beach in a similar way to PCDL, you may notice more workers on the beach but there will be little difference in the activities which include:



During the Interim project we aim to avoid negative environmental impacts and align with the plans for the medium-term project as they develop, which starts in 2027.

We will continue to proactively engage with the residents and community including the Pevensey Bay Coastal Community Group. 

Throughout the Interim Project (2025-2027) Eastbourne Borough Council will continue to manage the beach between Holywell and Langney Point.

When the Medium-term (Phase 1) Project starts in 2027 the Eastbourne and Pevensey Bay coastal frontages will be combined and managed together under one project.




To understand how this could work best we have set up a short survey where you can submit your communication preferences and provide us with your details. COMPLETE THE SURVEY








Beach management background 2000-2025

9km of beach in Pevensey Bay, East Sussex, has been managed by Pevensey Coastal Defence Limited (PCDL) since the year 2000. Key activities include importing sediment and moving thousands of tonnes of shingle by dumper trucks to fight the forces of nature along the Sussex shore.

Beach management by PCDL has been carried out in accordance with a 25-year Environment Agency contract, which is called a Flood Defence Service Agreement (FDSA). This was the first sea defence project in the world to be funded as a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

PCDL has delivered a high level of flood protection over this timeframe and no significant flooding has occurred over the last 25 years.

The FDSA has effectively protected over 10,000 homes, businesses, transport links and services from coastal flooding and erosion.


The orange line on the map above shows the 9km beach managed by the FDSA. It stretches from Sovereign Harbour in the West to Bexhill in the East on the South Coast of England.


Short-term (Interim) Project Overview 2025-2027


Seafront at Pevensey Bay looking east from junction of Val Prinseps Road and Norman Road

The PCDL contract finishes at the end of May 2025. We are working to ensure the beach is returned to the Environment Agency in the required condition and the experience gained over the last 25 years is transferred.

From June 2025 the Environment Agency Interim Project will manage the 9km Pevensey frontage for two years with our contractor VolkerStevin undertaking operational beach activities. We are working closely together on the new contract to ensure we are fully prepared to start in June 2025.  As part of our preparations, we are undertaking training and testing our approach in mock storm events. 

The Interim Project will continue to provide the same Standard of Protection as the last 25 years for the Pevensey Bay community. The coastal defences are designed to withstand a really extreme storm- which has only a 0.25% chance of happening in any given year, without a breach. They also prevent significant water flowing over the defences in an extreme storm- which has only a 0.5% chance of happening in any given year.

We will also be managing the beach in a similar way to PCDL, you may notice more workers on the beach but there will be little difference in the activities which include:



During the Interim project we aim to avoid negative environmental impacts and align with the plans for the medium-term project as they develop, which starts in 2027.

We will continue to proactively engage with the residents and community including the Pevensey Bay Coastal Community Group. 

Throughout the Interim Project (2025-2027) Eastbourne Borough Council will continue to manage the beach between Holywell and Langney Point.

When the Medium-term (Phase 1) Project starts in 2027 the Eastbourne and Pevensey Bay coastal frontages will be combined and managed together under one project.




To understand how this could work best we have set up a short survey where you can submit your communication preferences and provide us with your details. COMPLETE THE SURVEY







Page last updated: 28 Apr 2025, 11:47 AM