A Strategy was developed in 2003 for the River Arun to Pagham area, this was undertaken jointly by the Environment Agency and Arun District Council and based upon the policies and recommendations of the 1997 Selsey Bill to Beachy Head SMP. Since the development of the Strategy a number of changes have occurred including revised Defra and Environment Agency guidance on CDS production and the new requirement to provide a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). The SMP was also reviewed in 2005 with subsequent changes to some of the policies recommended. Click on the SMP tab along the top of this page to go to the relevant area of this site.

The Environment Agency and Arun District Council are now reviewing the Coastal Defence Strategy to bring it up to date with the 2005 SMP and current guidance. As the relevant Operating Authorities, we will be undertaking additional work to reinforce the understanding of the coastal management issues along the frontage including; coastal processes, extreme water levels, climate change and economics. A supporting Strategic Environmental Assessment will be produced to ensure that relevant environmental issues are fully considered and documented in the new strategy.

As part of the strategy review, we want to work with the local community to identify opportunities and constraints for coastal defence and to understand any local concerns and opportunities relevant to the Strategy. In addition we want to raise awareness of the funding constraints affecting this strategy. The economics of the proposed strategic options will be assessed as part of the strategy review and investigation of alternative approaches will be undertaken in conjunction with key stakeholders along the frontage.

A factsheet was produced in April 2008. A public consultation will be launched in November 2008 when we will be inviting input and comment on the draft strategy and preferred options.

SEPTEMBER 2008 NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE: this newsletter provides an update on what we have done so far and our current thinking.

The Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report has been produced and was consulted on. All comments will be reviewed and incorporated into the strategy and Environmental Report that will be available for consultation in November 2008.

Key milestones in the project include:

	SEA Scoping Report - Stakeholder consultation	April - May 2008
	Completion of Strategy review and additional technical studies	August 2008
	Public consultation on draft CDS and final SEA Report	November 2008 - January 2009
	Submission of Strategy for financial approval	March 2009

This webpage will be updated regularly as the Stragey develops.

For more information about the content of these pages, please contact coastal.defence@arun.gov.uk.