In order to raise awareness of the flood and erosion risks facing this stretch of coastline, we held an initial consultation from November 2006 to April 2007. The responses we received helped us in shaping our draft strategy.

The draft strategy recommends that the vast majority of properties should be protected to their current standard or better, while recognising that securing funding for building and maintaining defences is a serious and pressing issue for the area.

From 29 May 2008 to 29 August 2008 we consulted local residents on our draft strategy recommendations. We met many local people, answered their questions, heard their concerns and talked with them about our recommendations in more detail. Over 1000 people came to speak to the project team at our exhibitions at Pagham, Selsey and West Wittering, and we distributed more than 4,000 copies of our draft strategy summary. As a result of the consultation, we received over 200 written responses by letter, email or at our exhibitions.

Some main points raised by people in the consultation included:

• support for hold the line options where recommended;

• broad support for adaptive management at East Head and for new defences at West Wittering;

• some support for managed realignment at Medmerry provided that assets are protected to a better standard and landowners do not lose out;

• concerns over the current erosion problems at Pagham Beach and how they are being addressed.

We are grateful for the responses people sent and will take the issues and comments raised into account when finalising the strategy. In October 2008 we plan to issue a newsletter reporting on the consultation, responses received and how we have used them to make our final strategy decisions.

Our anticipated next steps are:

• complete consultation report – September 2008

• finalise strategy – October/November 2008

• seek approvals from all Operating Authorities – Winter 2008/ Spring 2009

Following this we will seek to begin work to progress options recommended in the strategy where we are able to. We recognise how important it is to keep the people affected by the strategy involved as we hope to move from finalising the strategy to carrying out the recommendations. Therefore we will continue to work with key landowners and community representatives throughout this process. Please continue to visit this website or the Environment Agency's website for strategy updates.

You may download the consultation documentation from the closed consultation section of the Environment Agency's website by clicking here; where you will also find a list of Frequently Asked Questions, which we hope will provide you with additional information about the draft strategy.