Environmental Considerations

Environmental designations help protect plants and animals. In Selsey there are several located within or near the scheme. These include :

• The Selsey Bill and the Hounds Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ)
• The Selsey East Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 
• The Solent & Dorset Coast Special Protection Area (SPA)
• The Pagham Harbour SPA, Ramsar and SSSI overlap at the Eastern extent and the Bracklesham Bay SSSI at the Western end.

In Selsey, many homes sit right beside the seawall, placing them close to these protected environmental areas. This unique setting brings challenges and responsibilities for how the coastline is managed. To secure planning and environmental regulator consent for new defences, the project will need to demonstrate that all ‘alternatives’ have been considered and that there will be minimal impact on the environment.

The scheme also brings opportunities to create better and more stable ecosystems. These might include habitat creation initiatives (such as walls designed for habitats and tidal pools) and environmentally considerate solutions for Selsey’s distinctive marine life. The project team are working alongside the statutory stakeholders, such as Natural England to protect and enhance nature.