Project Updates
Although the scheme remains paused whilst the funding gap is closed, we want to reassure the local community that Gosport Borough Council, together with the Environment Agency, are doing all we can do to deliver this scheme as quickly as possible. Our thoughts are with the Alverstoke Community following Storm Pierrick in 2024. We appreciate the devastation caused and the community's concerns over their current flood risk.
A scheme business case report for circa £7.8M funding has been submitted to the Environment Agency. This has been audited by the Environment Agency and was recommended for approval at the end of 2025, which is a significant step. We are awaiting confirmation from the Environment Agency that the funds are secured.
The scheme delivery is being led by Coastal Partners, Gosport Borough Council's coastal team. The project team are held to account by and report into the Community & Environment Board, through the Head of Place at Gosport Borough Council.
We are increasing the resources available for Coastal Partners to be ready to manage this project. It is expected to take three years to complete the scheme. This is the time required to procure a design consultant, who will review and update the existing scheme details; secure planning and consents. Then undertake cable mitigation works, followed by the flood defence works.
We note the scheme urgency and community desire for progress following the flooding in 2024. We will continue to press the Environment Agency for updates and funding award confirmation. Once the funding gap is closed, further updates will be provided and the forward plan presented to Gosport Borough Council's Community & Environment Board.
Previous project updates were given to Gosport Borough Council's Community & Environment Board in June 2025 and February 2026. These can be read here: Browse meetings - Community & Environment Board - Gosport Borough Council.
The Community & Environment Board requested we provide more regular updates to the community regarding this scheme. Even though there has been little change in the project status since April 2025 (as our business case as progress through Environment Agency process), it would have been reassuring to the community for us to share what updates were available, rather than rely on the board updates. We accept that our communication should have been better over the past 12 months and we will develop a community communications and engagement plan, to guide us in future engagement. In the interim we will provide updates to this project webpage.
Next steps and timeline
- The next step is to receive the final grant approval letter from the Environment Agency.
- We are bringing in additional resources to deliver this project. We are then ready to proceed from April 2026.
- The scheme is expected to take three years to complete. We feel this is a realistic programme, but do note the scheme urgency and community desire for progress as soon as possible.
- Our forward plan will be presented to the Community & Environment Board for their scrutiny and approval as we move through these stages.
The approved scheme is currently on pause whilst we continue to pursue every opportunity to close the funding gap. We have collated information following the devastating flooding event in April 2024 to strengthen our case for the additional funding to protect the community as well as the local infrastructure, for example roads and the Southern Water pumping station. In the interim, we encourage the community to sign-up to Environment Agency Flood Warnings and to take steps to make their property resilient to potential storm and flood events.
Further information regarding the impact of the storm in April 2024 is available HERE. And advice on flood resilience measures HERE.
The Alverstoke scheme remains on pause due to insufficient funding. Coastal Partners are working collaboratively with the Environment Agency to identify potential funds, although a proposed start date for the works cannot be established currently. However, the Council are still committed to the much-needed improvements to coastal defences in the area, to reduce the flood risk to 130 properties in Alverstoke over the next 50 years.
In 2015 the River Hamble to Portchester Strategy identified that low lying properties in Alverstoke were vulnerable and at significant risk to tidal flooding.
Alongside Gosport Borough Council and the local community, we have been working to ensure new defences are built to protect the area from flooding.
With Environment Agency funding secured and planning permission granted, construction started in January 2022.
Why are new coastal flood defences needed?
There is a priority need to improve the existing defences at Alverstoke as they currently only provide a 1 in 20 year standard of flood protection. This is not high enough to meet sea level rise predictions. This scale (the Annual Exceedance Probability or AEP) is related to the scale of the flooding and the chance that it might happen. A 1 in 20 year flood event has more chance of happening than a 1 in 100 year event.
The new defences are designed to protect against a 1 in 100 year until 2060. Whilst the probability of flooding may seem quite low in any one year, the effects have been devastating in the past where the required level of flood protection has not been in place.
114 properties in Alverstoke are at present day risk from a 1 in 100 year flood event. This is expected to increase to 130 properties by the year 2060. The flood risk area extends 550m from the location of the new defences for a 1 in 100 year flood event.
Properties and assets at risk:
- Residential and commercial properties
- Allotments
- Approximately 30 listed buildings
- Existing recreation ground and sites of environmental importance
- A cemetery
Critical infrastructure at risk:
- Anglesey Road
- Three electricity sub-stations
- Surface water pumping stations & sewers
- Pressure gas mains
- Telecoms and cable networks
What are the new defences?
They will consist of a reinforced wall positioned on top of the existing sea defences. The wall will run the length of the existing wall and a floodgate will be deployed across Little Anglesey road to make a continuous flood barrier. The defence upgrades will be levelled into the ground at either end of the new defences.
What will the new defences look like? 
A new reinforced concrete wall will run the length of the existing defences at the western end of Stoke Lake. It will be approximately one metre high, with the side facing the lake matching the appearance of the existing wall. This will be created by pouring concrete into a special mould called an ‘ecoformliner’. The match is an important aspect both supported by the community and as a conservation planning requirement.
The wall will extend to the edge of Little Anglesey Road where a flood gate of the same height will be mounted. The flood gate will be open at all times, except during potential flood events. On the far side of the road, there will be continuation of the wall until it is levelled into the higher ground.
The wall alignment runs very close to the existing trees on Stokesmead. Every effort will be made to work around any roots, so that the trees can be retained where possible. An arboriculturist will advise on any impacts and decisions concerning the trees.
Where will the new defences be located?
The new defences will be located at the western end of Stoke Lake, between Little Anglesey Road and Clayhall Road.
They will cover approximately 100m of coastal frontage and protect against the current flood route.
The wall alignment will run parallel with the front face of the existing wall. This will reduce the impact on tree roots and buried utilities running along the existing path. The new wall will also ensure that the footpath is always accessible, even in times of flood.
One of the defence upgrade options was to construct a tidal gate at the Jackie Spencer Bridge, east of the chosen location. This was rejected on environmental, technical and economic reasons. For more information regarding Jackie Spencer Bridge visit here.
What can be expected when the defences are being built?
Throughout the duration of the scheme, it is expected that a site office and area for material and machinery will be set-up in the Pebble Beach car park alongside the north west corner of Stoke Lake. This will reduce the amount of parking for a limited period, but Little Anglesey Road will remain open for vehicles and pedestrians whilst the work is ongoing.
The footpath at the western end of the lake between Clayhall Road and Little Anglesey Road will be closed to allow work to be undertaken in a safe manner. A pedestrian diversion route will be in place via Jackie Spencer Bridge. There will also be a fenced off area set-up at the end of the footpath for storage and welfare facilities for the duration of the work.
When the floodgate is installed across Little Anglesey Road, the road will be shut for a limited period. There will be advanced warning of road closures and diversions will be put in place.