Selsey Coastal Defences

The Selsey peninsula is an exposed coastline with a long history of managing coastal erosion and tidal flood risk. Before the construction of the existing sea wall in the 1950s, Selsey had one of the fastest eroding coastlines in England.  

Due to the rapid coastal erosion, hard-engineered defences were created to protect Selsey from both tidal flooding and erosion. The existing defences, are now nearing the end of their serviceable lifetime and a new solution is needed. 

Chichester District Council has adopted the North Solent and South Downs Shoreline Management Plans and the Pagham to East Head Coastal Defence Strategy (2009). The strategy has a ‘Hold the Line’ policy for Selsey, which recognises the need to manage coastal erosion and flood risk here. The Strategy also identified that there are funding challenges. 

With the strategy in place, Grant in Aid funding was successfully awarded for a Beach Management Plan (BMP) in Selsey. The BMP replenishes the shingle to help bolster sea defences in the event of potential storms. The BMP has helped to prolong the life of the defences, but it is becoming increasingly challenging as the structures get older and exceed their serviceable lifespan.  

With routine repair and maintenance of coastal defences becoming more frequent, complex, and costly, the need to review the defences and consider options for how to manage the frontage into the future, has become increasingly important. 

In 2023 an initial ‘Feasibility’ study examined the risks highlighted in the 2009 Pagham to East Head Coastal Defence Strategy. Some of these included flood and erosion risks, ageing assets, and the current Standard of Protection of the sea defences.  

The Feasibility study helped develop the business case for Grant in Aid Funding for the next stage of the project - the ‘Option appraisal and outline design’ stage. 

Option Appraisal is about gathering information and then identifying potential coastal defence management options. These options are then appraised in a consistent way to identify the leading options that will deliver the greatest benefits for the community most cost-effectively. 

With funding secured investigative work will now take place along the Selsey seafront. The type of work involved will include:  

• Ground Investigations 
• Structural surveys 
• Topographic surveys (Reviewing ground levels and features) 
• Bathymetric survey (seabed levels) 
• Flood modelling 
• Environmental assessment scoping 

Another key aspect of this project stage will be coastal flood modelling using computer simulated models. These models require calibration, which can be improved by using information from previous flooding events however small.  

If you have any information relating to previously flooding on the Selsey peninsular to support the project, please send the details and any photos to: selsey.coastal@havant.gov.uk. Any information provided will be treated in confidence and shall only be used for supporting the project.   

As the initial surveys progress, the project team will be engaging with the community to share developments and understand the opinions of residents and businesses. Community engagement events and other updates, including a project newsletter are currently being planned.  

If you would like to be included on the mailing list for future newsletter updates, please register your email by contacting: selsey.coastal@havant.gov.uk.