Langstone: Erosion-threatened coast plans go on show

Langstone Mill, in front of the pond, is a well-known beauty spot

Plans to manage the gradual loss of a village millpond due to coastal erosion are being shown to concerned residents.

More than 4,000 people have signed a petition to save Langstone millpond in Hampshire.

Coastal authorities are considering allowing rising sea levels to overtake the pond within 50 years and create a valuable salt marsh habitat.

The plans, which also include upgrading a coast path, are going on display later at Havant Borough Council.

Cecily Hughes, from Langstone Residents Association, said the millpond was a valuable asset

Part of a sea wall at Langstone collapsed in 2022, according to a recent report commissioned by a group of coastal authorities around Chichester Harbour.

The path on top of the wall is expected to fail in 2025, while other parts of the wall are also crumbling, the report by engineers Royal HaskoningDHV said.

Chichester Harbour needs to replace salt marsh after losing more than 60% between 1946 and 2018, the report added.

Part of the sea wall collapsed in 2022

Repairing the wall is "not considered viable due to high costs and planning considerations" in the face of rising sea levels, the engineers said.

However, Langstone Residents Association said repairs that would delay the loss of the "precious" millpond would only cost about £4,000.

Chairman Cecily Hughes said the pond behind Grade II listed Langstone Mill represented a "great example of industrial archaeology".

An artist's impression of a proposed temporary footbridge to maintain the coast path

Havant Civic Society said: "Without urgent action by the relevant authorities, the path will be gone and the millpond abandoned to become a tidal swamp, changing the shoreline forever and destroying this unique environment."

Authorities, including local councils and Chichester Harbour Conservancy, are considering building a boardwalk and footbridge to maintain the coast path in the short term, before moving the path inland.

The plans will be on display at Havant Civic Centre from 12:00 to 19:00 GMT.