Manhood Peninsula Partnership
Caring for Chichester’s Coastal Communities. The Manhood Peninsula Partnership was inspired by local residents to promote a sustainable way forward for addressing the environmental, social and economic challenges posed to the area by climate change.
Manhood Peninsula Partnership
Coastal Management
A large part of the Manhood Peninsula is less than 5m above sea level and at risk from flooding, both inland and coastal. It is likely that climate change will increase this risk, through rising sea levels, rising water tables and increased precipitation intensity. Drainage is an increasing problem on the peninsula as the existing ditches are proving inadequate to handle increased run-off resulting from recent development and heavier rainfall.
The managed realignment scheme on the coast between Selsey and Bracklesham in the area known as Medmerry is underway. The intention is to allow sea water to breach the existing shingle bank to create new salt-water and fresh-water habitat behind the Medmerry frontage.
Managed realignment was found to be the best option economically, and it can provide large environmental advantages too by creating additional habitat for coastal and intertidal species.
As ‘Coast Protection Authority’, Chichester District Council and its predecessor has carried out the protection of this stretch of coastline since the early 1950s. More information about coastal management can be found on Chichester District Council’s Coastal Management web pages, and demonstrate how they plan the management of your coastline, what’s happening along your coastal frontage and who to contact for help and advice.
The picture illustrating this page shows the shingle bank along the Medmerry frontage currently defending the inland areas from the sea. Maintenance of the bank is undertaken annually by the Environment Agency. An overview of local geology, including aerial photographs of the site can be found here.
For further information explore the Environment Links section of our website, particularly the following sections:
Coastal Management and Climate Change Links
Sea defences have been required in the Manhood Peninsula for many years. A great deal of work was needed following a particularly bad storm in December 1951 which wrecked houses along the Selsey sea front, and led to their subsequent demolition.
Following is a gallery of images courtesy of...Continue Reading »
