Position Statement The Current Approach to Flood and Erosion Risks and Responsibilities in Managing Selseys Aging Seawalls July 2023 Executive Summary Chichester District Council / Coastal Partners, proactively monitor and maintain the Selsey coastline using powers under the Coast Protection Act. However, is under no duty to do so. It is known that the defences here are aging and fragile, and there are finite resources to maintain them. Future defence failures should be anticipated, and this position paper and appendices set out the steps to be taken to hopefully avoid loss of property. However, given the timescales for replacement defences, funding difficulties and challenging site conditions, the residual risk of major defences failure and loss of property should not be discounted.
Background Coastal defences reduce the risk of coastal flooding and erosion to the town of Selsey. The Selsey peninsula is an exposed coastline with a long history of managing coastal flood and erosion risk. Many of the linear defences (seawalls) were constructed in the 1950’s and have reached, or are reaching, the end of their design life. The challenges faced here include:
The increased frequency, magnitude and complexity of the works required to maintain the existing aging coastal defence structures. Predicted sea level rise and increased storminess due to climate change. Public expectation of ongoing maintenance and repair
These are challenges shared by many local authorities nationally, with fragile aging assets and increasing risks from climate change. The Council has adopted the North Solent and South Downs Shoreline Management Plans and the Pagham to East Head Coastal Defence Strategy (2009) for this frontage, which have a policy of ‘Hold the Line’. However, the strategy recognised the need to manage coastal erosion and flood risk along the Selsey frontage, its aging defences and its low priority at the time for national funding for replacement defences. Chichester District Council in partnership with Coastal Partners are currently engaged in a feasibility study looking at the future of these defences. A change in funding approach to partnership funding (along with other changes in guidance) brings opportunity to further investigate a defence scheme at Selsey, but any potential scheme is unlikely to be ready to begin construction for at least five years (2028+). It will be subject to securing financial contribution, a number of gateway stages, demonstrating a robust business case and securing the required funding. This position statement has V8.0
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