Section of Southwick beach to be sold to Shoreham Port

Councillor Jeremy Gardner, the leader of Adur District Council, has agreed that the local authority should transfer the ownership of its section of Southwick beach, the land alongside it and its facilities to the Shoreham Port Authority.

The sale of the beach, adjacent to Basin Road South, will include a legal covenant to ensure that the popular stretch of beach remains publicly accessible forever, regardless of potential future ownership.

Shoreham Port Authority approached the council about the possibility of purchasing the land earlier this year, in a proposal which includes the foreshore, promenade, public toilets, beach chalets, surface car park and cafe, which is let to the operator on a long-term lease.

The council said it lacks the necessary funding to adequately invest into the current infrastructure or ensure the future protection of the shoreline, and was therefore open to exploring a potential sale with the port authority.

Following an engagement process with the community, which included an in-person event at Southwick Community Centre in July, Cllr Gardner has decided to formally accept the port authority’s proposal.

Shoreham Port Authority has long owned most of the public beach running alongside Basin Road South, which comes with its own coastal protection responsibilities.

The sale means that the port authority will now also be responsible for the sea defences at the 1.3 mile section of foreshore currently owned by the council.

Public facilities, such as the toilets and car park at Southwick Beach, will also be managed by the port authority moving forward. Existing contractual agreements with beach chalet tenants and the operator of Carats Cafe will continue uninterrupted, the council said.

Carats Cafe(Image: Adur District Council)

With local government reorganisation underway, the council believes Shoreham Port Authority is the ideal custodian of the land for the future, because of its key contribution to the local economy, its work with the community, its sustainable values and the fact it already owns the majority of the surrounding land.

Cllr Gardner said: “It’s been clear to me and the rest of the council just how important this stretch of beach remains to the public, and we strongly believe that the best way to ensure its protection is by transferring the land to the port authority.

“We’re excited about the bright future for Southwick beach under the port authority’s ownership, and would like to thank the many residents that have had their say about the proposal and shown their love for the beach over recent months.”

The council’s section of Southwick beach, as well as its surrounding facilities, will be officially transferred to Shoreham Port Authority in the coming weeks.

Tom Willis, the chief executive at Shoreham Port, said: “We are pleased that Adur District Council has confirmed it wishes to proceed with the sale of the buildings, land and beach at Southwick to Shoreham Port. We believe our position as a long-established Trust Port makes us ideal trusted custodians for this unique area.

“I would like to thank everyone who either attended the public meeting or provided written feedback, much of which highlighted just how important this area is to the community. When the formalities of the transaction are completed, we look forward to working with everyone to shape our plans for the area.”

For more information about the sale, visit www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/the-future-of-southwick-beach/