Beach sold to 'ensure future of coastline'

The 1.3-mile section of foreshore at Southwick has been sold to Shoreham Port Authority

A section of beach in West Sussex is to be sold to "ensure the future protection of the shoreline", a council has said.

Adur District Council (ADC) has agreed to sell its section of Southwick Beach, the land alongside it and its facilities to Shoreham Port Authority.

The sale will include a legal covenant to ensure that the popular stretch of beach remains "publicly accessible forever", regardless of potential future ownership.

A council spokesperson said it "lacks the necessary funding to adequately invest into the current infrastructure".

The port authority approached the council about the possibility of purchasing the land in July, in a proposal which includes the foreshore, promenade, public toilets, beach chalets, surface car park and cafe, which is let to the operator on a long-term lease.

'Ideal trusted custodians'

Shoreham Port Authority has long owned the majority of the public beach running alongside Basin Road South.

The sale means it will now also be responsible for the sea defences at the 1.3mile (2km) section of foreshore currently owned by the council.

Jeremy Gardner, leader of ADC, said: "It's been clear to me and the rest of the council just how important this stretch of beach remains to the public, and we strongly believe that the best way to ensure its protection is by transferring the land to the port authority."

Tom Willis, the chief executive at Shoreham Port, said: "We believe our position as a long-established Trust Port makes us ideal trusted custodians for this unique area."

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