The future of Southwick Beach
Southwick Beach is entering a new chapter, as we've transferred our section of this much-loved landscape to Shoreham Port Authority to help secure the coastline's long-term protection.
On this page, you can learn why the decision was made, how local people were involved, and what it means for the future of Southwick Beach.
Photos: Southwick Beach
Which section of the beach has been sold?
We have sold the section of Southwick Beach highlighted below, which is about 1.3 miles (2.1 kilometres) long and runs alongside the western end of Basin Road South.
As well as the shingle coastline, our section of the beach included the adjacent promenade, public toilets, beach chalets, car park and Carats Café.
Image: Southwick Beach - land owned by Adur District Council (image credit Shoreham Port Authority)
Why was the sale considered?
We were approached by Shoreham Port Authority about the possibility of purchasing our section of Southwick Beach, including the surrounding facilities.
Our limited resources mean we don't have the necessary funding to adequately invest in the existing infrastructure or ensure the long-term protection of the shoreline. We were therefore open to exploring a potential sale with the port authority.
Shoreham Port Authority already owned most of the surrounding land, including the majority of the coastline leading to the Brighton and Hove border from Southwick Beach (highlighted in orange on the map below), so the potential transfer made sense to us.
Image: Southwick Beach - land owned by Shoreham Port Authority (image credit Shoreham Port Authority)
The fact the port authority already maintained the rest of the coastline to a high standard is one of the reasons we believed it would be an ideal custodian of the beach into the future.
It was also made clear that, should a transfer be agreed, our existing contractual agreements with beach chalet tenants and the operator of Carats Café would be respected, ensuring stakeholders could continue enjoying the facilities in the same way.
How were residents consulted?
Understanding the landscape's importance to the local community, we held an extensive engagement process where local people and organisations could share their views and ask questions about the proposal.
This included an in-person event at Southwick Community Centre, attended by around 80 residents for an evening of open discussion. Free tickets were made available online in advance on a first come, first served basis.
Although we had a great turnout for the event, we knew not everyone was able to attend, so we published the questions and answers section on our website that came out of it for everyone to see.
We also responded to many residents who contacted us by email or left questions under our many social media posts about the potential sale of Southwick Beach.
When was the decision to sell made?
After considering public feedback, Councillor Jeremy Gardner, the leader of Adur District Council, decided to formally accept the port authority's proposal in October 2025.
The sale included a legal covenant to ensure that the popular stretch of beach remains publicly accessible forever, regardless of potential future ownership - a provision that had been repeatedly requested by the community.
We acknowledge that the beach has faced challenges due to limited investment in recent years, largely as a result of our ongoing financial pressures. We believe the port authority can manage the area more effectively and deliver improvements to the public facilities.
With local government reorganisation underway, we believe the port authority is an ideal custodian of the land. This reflects its existing ownership of much of the surrounding area, its role in the local economy, and its ongoing work with the community and commitment to sustainability.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Below are the frequently asked questions about the proposal, which were gathered from our in-person engagement, direct emails and social media comments.
We hope these provide some more background information on the decision to sell our section of Southwick Beach to Shoreham Port Authority.
Why was the council open to selling its section of the beach?
We were open to selling our part of the beach, as well as the surrounding facilities, as we lack the funding to adequately invest in the current infrastructure and ensure the future protection of the shoreline.
We believe Shoreham Port Authority is an ideal custodian of the land because of its values and the fact it's the adjacent landowner. It also has the experience and resources to build coastal defences that will help protect the stretch of coastline for future generations.
What is Shoreham Port and what does it do?
Since being established as a trust by an Act of Parliament in 1760, Shoreham Port has been reinvesting its profits to benefit the communities and stakeholders it serves. It's a key contributor to the local economy, creating hundreds of jobs, and works with the community to benefit local people, community groups and charities. It also has strong sustainable values.
Around two million tonnes of commercial cargo and 14,000 leisure boats are welcomed through Shoreham Port's lock gates each year. To find out more about the port authority, see:
Is the beach still publicly accessible?
Yes. Prior to the proposal being agreed, Shoreham Port Authority committed that public rights of access to the beach would be legally retained forever.
The port authority already owned and managed the coastline leading to the Brighton and Hove border from Southwick Beach, which is publicly accessible.
Did the sale include a legal covenant permitting public access to Southwick Beach?
Yes, a legal covenant was included to ensure that the beach remains publicly accessible forever. The covenant is permanently tied to the land, regardless of ownership.
How much did the port authority pay for the land?
The land was purchased for £550,000. Facing a projected future cost risk of around £4m, we recognised that we lacked the funding needed to invest adequately in the existing infrastructure or ensure the long-term protection of the shoreline. We were therefore open to exploring a potential sale with the port authority as a trusted local partner.
Isn't the beach owned by the Crown Estate?
No, the designated land doesn't form part of the Crown Estate. To find out more about the Crown Estate's coastal ownership, see:
What will happen to the public rights of way over the lock gates?
The public rights of way are legally binding and will remain in place. A map of the path is shown in red below:
Image: Southwick Beach - public rights of way
Will public access to the beach remain free?
Yes. There are legally binding public rights of way and a covenant in place that guarantee free public access to the beach, regardless of who owns the land. Charging for beach access is not planned or permitted.
I'm a beach chalet owner on Southwick Beach - what happens to my licence?
Any existing agreements will be honoured. We also understand Shoreham Port Authority intends to repair the chalets, which we did not have the money to do in the near future.
What will happen to Carats Café?
The existing contractual agreements with the operator of Carats Café have been automatically assigned to Shoreham Port Authority, meaning it has to respect the current long-term agreement in place with the operator.
Why couldn't the council get any funding to pay for beach defence works?
The government provides grant funding towards coastal projects, but the amount provided depends on the number of properties and infrastructure the scheme protects. The shortfall needs to be funded by the local authorities. The Brighton Marina to River Adur Coastal Protection scheme capital costs were estimated at £21.7m, with only £12m provided by the Environment Agency and other government funders. Therefore the local authorities had to fund £9.7m.
Adur District Council's contribution is £1.7m for the construction of a sea wall along the promenade/footpath to prevent flooding. These figures were taken from the Environment Agency's approved outline business case. However, as the project has progressed we have discovered that the actual costs are more than double the original estimates.
With local government reorganisation on the horizon, was it reasonable to decide the future of our section of Southwick Beach now?
We cannot expect central government support for local authorities in this area or try to anticipate future funding sources. What we do know today is that, with the best information currently available, Shoreham Port Authority is the most suitable custodian for the future of coastal defences in this part of Sussex.
This is due to its long-term operational requirements as an adjacent landowner, coupled with its commitment to protecting employment and infrastructure. It's clear that it remains motivated and adequately funded to be the most effective party in delivering a solution.
Why couldn't residents get together and buy the beach to protect it for future generations?
Shoreham Port Authority was the best-case scenario for a future owner of the beach. It has the resources, ability and track record to fund the necessary investment and capital works to ensure the area can continue to be enjoyed by everyone.
What is Shoreham Port Authority's intention for the land? Are there any restrictions on what can be done?
Shoreham Port Authority sees this as an opportunity to improve a declining community asset, which has unfortunately suffered from a lack of investment. It believes it can manage the area more efficiently by using in-house teams and avoiding high overheads.
Any potential development would still require public access to the beach, as well as full planning approval and a public consultation.
The port authority is committed to the environment, and any potential changes to the land would have to follow biodiversity rules, which include expert assessments and requirements for biodiversity net gain.
Could the port force out Carats Café in favour of its own businesses?
No. Carats has a long-term lease that remains valid. The port authority says it wants multiple thriving businesses in the area, including Carats, The New Port Arms, and others.
Is the port authority committed to retaining public vehicle access via Basin Road South to the existing public car park?
Yes, the port authority is committed to retaining public vehicle access to the existing car park and site. Visitor income is essential to its plans to improve the site.
How can the public be sure that the port authority won't build along the entire Southwick seafront in the future, even if access paths are maintained?
While the port may own much of the land, several safeguards prevent unrestricted development. The covenant ensures public access to the beach, and any construction would still require full planning approval and public consultation.
Large-scale residential developments are specifically prohibited by both the Adur Local Plan and the Joint Area Action Plan. The port also avoids residential buildings due to operational noise and logistics.
Additionally, any proposal would be scrutinised for its impact on protected public rights of way and coastal resilience.
How much income did the council generate from this beach area, and is it financially sustainable?
Our income from the site was modest and not enough to cover maintenance or necessary upgrades. We have limited capital reserves and must borrow money to invest in repairs or coastal defences, which creates long-term liabilities. That's why a potential transfer to the port authority was considered and eventually agreed.
Can the port authority afford to maintain the area?
Yes. The port authority already manages nearby land and beaches at lower cost through its internal teams. It can maintain and improve the area more efficiently than the council.
Will the port authority improve the toilets, car park, café, beach chalets and surrounding areas?
The port authority acknowledges the poor condition of some facilities and plans to invest in improvements.
Why has the council not maintained its section of Southwick Beach and its surroundings better over the last 25 years?
We agree that the area has suffered from years of underinvestment, which is mainly due to financial pressures. We would have loved to have provided more funding to maintain the area and its facilities, but we have to focus on delivering essential services and cannot afford major capital upgrades at the beach and its surrounding facilities.
Press releases
- 19th May 2026: Future of Southwick Beach protected through transfer to Shoreham Port
- 17th October 2025: Adur District Council to sell its section of Southwick Beach
- 9th July 2025: Adur District Council to host engagement event ahead of potential beach sale
- 2nd July 2025: Adur District Council's potential sale of Southwick Beach
Page last updated: 19 May 2026