Following in-depth dialogues with organisations including Natural England, Chichester Harbour Conservancy and the Environment Agency, Havant Borough Council’s commitment to saving the sea wall between Langstone Mill and Wade Lane remains at odds with national policy, severely limiting the options available to maintain the structure and protect the popular Mill Pond.
The sea wall provides easy access to the shoreline and the Solent Way, and is popular with ramblers, dog walkers and families alike. Following a series of discussions with Chichester Harbour Conservancy, Natural England and the Environment Agency, their key messages were:
- The Mill Pond’s value is recognised at county level with a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) listing; however, the international (Ramsar) and national – such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – designations for Chichester Harbour take precedence.
- A review of Chichester Harbour by Natural England has shown local extensive coastal defences are directly impacting on the extent of local saltmarsh and mudflat habitat.
- Any remedial works are seen as setting a dangerous precedent for other hard defences throughout the Harbour.
- Re-alignment of the footpath is recommended.
Although the council is disappointed by the constraints on maintaining the sea wall, it respects the opinions provided and the wider picture for Chichester Harbour (and beyond). Recognising the considerable value of the sea wall and Mill Pond – practically, physically and mentally – the council will work with these organisations and other partners such as Hampshire County Council to secure the best possible outcome under the constraints it is placed.
For Chichester Harbour as a whole, the council approves of – and seeks funding for – an Investment and Adaption Plan for the harbour. This plan would provide a holistic assessment for the long-term management of the harbour, and £35,000 has already been allocated to the project by the Environment Agency. For the Mill Pond and the sea wall, the council will continue to promote the value placed upon them by residents, businesses and visitors to the borough whilst exploring all avenues for the future of this cherished part of coastline.
Councillor Alex Rennie – Leader of Havant Borough Council – said “Whilst we are constrained by national agencies in our ability to protect the sea wall, nevertheless we have been exploring every option to address residents’ concerns about the sea wall and the Mill Pond. Our hands are effectively tied by frameworks dictated to us from a national level. Because we are in disagreement with key stakeholders doesn’t mean we will not continue to work with them to the best of our abilities to secure the best possible outcomes for the harbour and our residents.”
Councillor Liz Fairhurst – Cabinet Lead for Coastal at Havant Borough Council – said “We recognise the value of the sea wall and Mill Pond to residents and visitors alike who enjoy our coastline. We also appreciate the wider picture and the demands placed upon Chichester Harbour as a whole. I sincerely hope that through engaging with relevant national and local partners, we can come to a resolution that benefits all parties.”
For more details, visit Coastal Partners at https://coastalpartners.org.uk/project/langstone-coastal-path-mill-pond-to-wade-lane-havant.