Beachy Head to Newhaven Harbour 1
General actions for this subsection
There are no actions generic to the whole of this subsection. For actions relating to specific locations, select an area on the map above or use the postcode/location search and click on the Action Plan tab.
All actions are subject to funding and approval, often by other parties than the Lead Organisation shown.
Download SMP documents
The information on this website represents the current SMP management approaches adopted by the local authorities within its area, and current actions needed to deliver them. These management approaches have been approved by the Environment Agency under its Strategic Overview for coastal flood and erosion risk management and are considered to be local policy.
The documents below provide the full SMP adopted locally and approved by the Environment Agency at the time of publication. Some of the information has changed in response to new government policy, new evidence or new work identified.
Data on this page
Main report
Appendices
- Appendix A - SMP Development
- Appendix B - Stakeholder Engagement
- Appendix C - Baseline Processes Understanding
- Appendix C (additional) - Recommendations for a No Active Intervention Pol
- Appendix C- Supporting Figures.pdf
- Appendix D - Thematic Studies
- Appendix E - Issues and Objective Evaluation
- Appendix F - Initial Policy Appraisal and Scenario Definition
- Appendix G - Preferred Policy Scenario Testing
- Appendix H - Economic Appraisal and Sensitivity Testing
About this subsection
The chalk cliffs and rock platform beneath them from Beachy Head to Newhaven Harbour are a well-known landscape rich in historical heritage and legally protected for their geological and wildlife interest as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The shoreline is characterised by cliffs rising to the east of Seaford and broken only by the Cuckmere and Ouse River valleys. At Seaford the shingle beach is managed to enhance protection to the town from flooding. The shoreline experiences low rates of sediment transport.
The coastal area is largely undeveloped except for the town of Seaford and isolated properties at Cuckmere and Birling Gap. The dry valley at Birling Gap is comprised of rocks of a less resistant nature, which has resulted in cliff erosion taking place at a faster rate than in adjacent areas. The management of properties at Birling Gap is accommodating this change and allowing the natural character of the coast to be maintained. The sandy mouth of the Cuckmere River is bounded in the east by the natural fall of the cliffs and to the west by the artificial structures defending the coastguard cottages that overlook the Seven Sisters cliffs. The natural dynamics of the river are altered by these structures and the modification of the original river course into a straight channel. The Cuckmere Valley is included in the wider Site of Special Scientific Interest.