Northney faces increasing flood risk from rising sea levels, ageing coastal defences and climate change. While only a small number of residential and business properties are currently at risk, this could increase significantly over the next 100 years if no action is taken. The existing sea walls are privately owned, have been damaged by storms and are not considered a sustainable long-term solution.
This webpage refers to the coastal frontage of Coastal Unit ODU3 (Northney Farm to Chichester Road) as defined by the Hayling Island Coastal Management Strategy, which is also shown in the map below. This frontage is approximately 1.8km in length.
Coastal Partners have also been engaging with the community and landowners in relation to flood and erosion risk for neighbouring frontages, however this is not covered here.
Flooding remains a very real concern to the community at Northney who have experienced the devastating impacts of tidal and surface water flooding in recent years. The existing defences are reaching the end of their serviceable life, and despite repair, remain vulnerable to overtopping of sea water and further damage by storms. The flood and erosion risk to the community remains.
Unfortunately, due to the current rules in place which determine how much government funding a flood defence scheme is eligible for, it has not been possible to make an affordable case for funding to solely protect the homes due to the relatively low number of properties at risk of flooding, compared to the likely costs of designing and constructing a scheme to the standard of protection required.
There is however potential to make an affordable case for funding for a scheme which can provide new habitat in addition to building new flood defences, if these are setback. This could increase the benefits of the scheme so that it outweighs the cost of designing and constructing a scheme and can access funding on the basis that it contributes to creating legally required intertidal habitats as part of a programme of work led by the Environment Agency called the Habitat Compensation and Restoration Programme (further detail at https://southerncoastalgroup-scopac.org.uk/hcrp/). This type of scheme aligns with the recommendations of the local Hayling Island Coastal Management Strategy for Managed Realignment, providing a long-term approach that would reduce flood risk to communities while creating new coastal habitats and supporting local agriculture.
Coastal Partners and the Environment Agency are currently exploring opportunities to work with landowners on a future habitat creation and flood resilience project that could include new set-back flood defences alongside habitat creation. Significant design, environmental assessment and approval work is still required before any scheme can be confirmed and funding will also need to be secured.
In the meantime, landowners remain responsible for managing their own coastal flood risk. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through flood warnings and consider measures to improve the resilience of their properties where appropriate. More information is available here.
Coastal Partners have prepared a Position Statement which explains the current situation at Northney and outlines the work being undertaken to manage flood and coastal erosion risk in the area. It summarises the history of coastal management decisions, the challenges posed by deteriorating privately owned sea walls, and the long-term approach identified through the Hayling Island Coastal Management Strategy. It also sets out the roles and responsibilities of landowners, local authorities and the Environment Agency, while highlighting ongoing efforts to develop a sustainable solution that protects local communities, supports farming businesses and enhances the natural environment. The aim is to provide residents, landowners and stakeholders with a clear and impartial understanding of the issues, the opportunities being explored, and the next steps in the process. The Position Statement is available here.
