Brighton Marina makes new application to dispose of dredge spoil within Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone

admin
, 16 March 2026
Brighton Marina makes new application to dispose of dredge spoil within Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone
Tompot Blenny © Paul Naylor

By Laura Brook

Head of Conservation

Late last week we learned that Brighton Marina has applied to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for a one‑year licence to dispose of maintenance dredge sediment within the Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ). Your support last year made a real difference and showed how strongly many of you feel about standing up for the chalk reef and the wildlife it supports.

We will now scrutinise the application in detail. However we remain fundamentally opposed to the disposal of dredged sediment within the MCZ. The consultation window is 28 days from 6 March, which means we must submit formal comments by 6 April 2026.

Our only means to challenge the decision last year was through the process of judicial review which by its nature means we have to challenge on the procedure rather than the outcome of the original decision. Yet we felt strong enough to challenge on four separate grounds and remain concerned about robustness of the environmental information being used to make the decisions.

This time around we will be looking at this application to be clear on:

  • The quality and adequacy of the environmental evidence provided
  • How the application assesses and protects MCZ features (including the chalk reef) from damaging activities
  • What alternative disposal sites have been considered to avoid dumping in a protected area, and the timetable to transition to a suitable disposal ground.

Our position

Sussex Wildlife Trust recognises the need for Brighton Marina to remain operational and to carry out maintenance dredging - this has never been in question. Equally, we have a responsibility to challenge practices that risk harm to designated sites and the biodiversity they are meant to protect. We will share further updates as we work through the documents and prepare our response.

Email the Marine Management Organisation and demand they act on this important issue

Take action today

Leave a comment

Comments

  • steve:

    Please advise us how to oppose. This problem ALSO exists in Eastbourne at Sovereign Harbour. The dredge waste is killing the Bay Area.

    10 Mar 2026 08:54:00

  • Lorna de Strete:

    I really want to stop this and a suitable alternative to be adopted. How can I do this and who to write too.

    10 Mar 2026 16:38:00

  • Sussex Wildlife Trust:

    Hi Lorna. Unfortunately, is not an easy system to navigate, but if you wish to do so you can make an account on the MMO website: https://marinelicensing.marinemanagement.org.uk and use the case reference MLA/2026/00065 to view the information and make a comment. Do keep an eye on our mailing list and social media, as we will be giving updates when we can.

  • Lucy:

    Our nature is already in decline without this sort of thing destroying it even more.

    12 Mar 2026 21:02:00

  • Linda Weekes:

    We realise Brighton Marina has a responsibility to do some dredging but they have a duty of care for diversity of wildlife as well if people and the planet are to survive .They need to avoid the reef and go further out perhaps and make an informed decision.

    17 Mar 2026 11:24:00

  • Susan Riley:

    Depositing material from a marina is likely to leave contaminated waste in a conservation area.
    Please make sure the waste goes outside the conservation area.

    28 Mar 2026 12:31:00

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