Pevensey to Eastbourne: About the Scheme

Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme




Scheme overview

The purpose of the Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme is to increase the resilience of the area between Cooden Beach and Holywell to coastal flooding and erosion over the next 100 years.

This is an important response to the escalating climate emergency. It is one of the largest coastal flood risk projects in the country and will be delivered by the Environment Agency in partnership with Eastbourne Borough Council, East Sussex County Council, Rother District Council, Wealden District Council, JBA Consulting and VolkerStevin.

The project covers 15km of coastline between Holywell, to the west of Eastbourne, through to Cooden Beach. The coastline is varied featuring chalk cliffs, shingle beaches, long promenades, heritage sites and a large marina. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

For further detail, please see the 'More information: The Scheme' section.


Map showing the 15 kilometre coastline covered by the scheme, from Holywell in Eastbourne to Cooden Beach in Pevensey.
The 15 kilometre coastline covered by the scheme, from Holywell in Eastbourne to Cooden Beach in Pevensey.

Short-term project (2025 - 2027)

Protecting communities from the risk of coastal flooding and erosion is our highest priority. During the short‑term project, we are maintaining strong coastal protection by managing the Pevensey Bay shingle beach as a flood defence to help keep homes, businesses and infrastructure safe.

Since June 2025, the Environment Agency has taken responsibility for managing the 8.5 kilometre stretch of coastline between Sovereign Harbour and Cooden Beach. Beach management activities during this phase focus on maintaining the existing standard of protection that has been in place for many years, while monitoring beach conditions and responding to changing risks.

For further detail, please see the 'More information: The Scheme' section.


Aerial view of Pevensey Bay showing houses along the coastline with the beach and open countryside in the background.
Seafront at Pevensey Bay looking east from junction of Val Prinseps Road and Norman Road


Medium-term project (2027 - 2037)

The medium-term project will follow the short-term project in 2027. It aims to respond to a predicted 10cm sea level rise and provide the same standard of protection from coastal flooding.

For further detail, please see the 'More information: The Scheme' section.


View of Eastbourne beach at low tide, with the pier extending over the sea and seafront buildings lining the promenade.
Eastbourne beach with the pier, promenade and seafront buildings


Longer-term (future phases)

Our coastline is constantly changing. Over the next century, rising sea levels and stronger storms will shape this area in significant ways. Current projections suggest sea levels could rise by up to 1.15m by 2100, and storm patterns may become more severe. These changes will affect homes, businesses, nature, and the places we all value.

The longer‑term phases of the scheme look ahead to how flood and erosion risk may need to be managed later in the century. This work is at an early stage and focuses on building understanding and exploring possible approaches over time. Plans for future phases will continue to develop as evidence, projections and priorities evolve.

For further detail, please see the 'More information: The Scheme' section.


View of the white chalk cliffs at Holywell with the shingle beach and sea below.
The chalk cliffs at Holywell with the shingle beach below


Subscribe to receive updates about the Scheme

To receive our newsletter and other Scheme updates, please use the sign‑up form on the Engagement page. If you need this information in a different format, please contact us.


If you have any questions, would like to provide feedback, or need any information in a different format such as accessible PDF, large print or audio, please contact PevenseyandEastbourneCoast@environment-agency.gov.uk. We aim to provide a response within ten working days.




Scheme overview

The purpose of the Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme is to increase the resilience of the area between Cooden Beach and Holywell to coastal flooding and erosion over the next 100 years.

This is an important response to the escalating climate emergency. It is one of the largest coastal flood risk projects in the country and will be delivered by the Environment Agency in partnership with Eastbourne Borough Council, East Sussex County Council, Rother District Council, Wealden District Council, JBA Consulting and VolkerStevin.

The project covers 15km of coastline between Holywell, to the west of Eastbourne, through to Cooden Beach. The coastline is varied featuring chalk cliffs, shingle beaches, long promenades, heritage sites and a large marina. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

For further detail, please see the 'More information: The Scheme' section.


Map showing the 15 kilometre coastline covered by the scheme, from Holywell in Eastbourne to Cooden Beach in Pevensey.
The 15 kilometre coastline covered by the scheme, from Holywell in Eastbourne to Cooden Beach in Pevensey.

Short-term project (2025 - 2027)

Protecting communities from the risk of coastal flooding and erosion is our highest priority. During the short‑term project, we are maintaining strong coastal protection by managing the Pevensey Bay shingle beach as a flood defence to help keep homes, businesses and infrastructure safe.

Since June 2025, the Environment Agency has taken responsibility for managing the 8.5 kilometre stretch of coastline between Sovereign Harbour and Cooden Beach. Beach management activities during this phase focus on maintaining the existing standard of protection that has been in place for many years, while monitoring beach conditions and responding to changing risks.

For further detail, please see the 'More information: The Scheme' section.


Aerial view of Pevensey Bay showing houses along the coastline with the beach and open countryside in the background.
Seafront at Pevensey Bay looking east from junction of Val Prinseps Road and Norman Road


Medium-term project (2027 - 2037)

The medium-term project will follow the short-term project in 2027. It aims to respond to a predicted 10cm sea level rise and provide the same standard of protection from coastal flooding.

For further detail, please see the 'More information: The Scheme' section.


View of Eastbourne beach at low tide, with the pier extending over the sea and seafront buildings lining the promenade.
Eastbourne beach with the pier, promenade and seafront buildings


Longer-term (future phases)

Our coastline is constantly changing. Over the next century, rising sea levels and stronger storms will shape this area in significant ways. Current projections suggest sea levels could rise by up to 1.15m by 2100, and storm patterns may become more severe. These changes will affect homes, businesses, nature, and the places we all value.

The longer‑term phases of the scheme look ahead to how flood and erosion risk may need to be managed later in the century. This work is at an early stage and focuses on building understanding and exploring possible approaches over time. Plans for future phases will continue to develop as evidence, projections and priorities evolve.

For further detail, please see the 'More information: The Scheme' section.


View of the white chalk cliffs at Holywell with the shingle beach and sea below.
The chalk cliffs at Holywell with the shingle beach below


Subscribe to receive updates about the Scheme

To receive our newsletter and other Scheme updates, please use the sign‑up form on the Engagement page. If you need this information in a different format, please contact us.


If you have any questions, would like to provide feedback, or need any information in a different format such as accessible PDF, large print or audio, please contact PevenseyandEastbourneCoast@environment-agency.gov.uk. We aim to provide a response within ten working days.

Page last updated: 23 Apr 2026, 04:27 PM