Who manages our shoreline

Find out which authorities handle the different types of flooding that Brighton & Hove faces.

How we protect the coastline from erosion

We’re a member of the South East Coastal Group which covers from Selsey Bill to the Thames Estuary.

The group includes: 

  • district authorities
  • borough authorities
  • unitary authorities
  • county authorities 
  • Environment Agency
  • Natural England

The powers we have to protect the coastline are set out in the Coast Protection Act (1949). 

The erosion rate for Brighton & Hove's coastline is currently assessed as minor over the next 100 years.

Check coastal erosion risk for an area in England.

Coastline strategies

There are 2 strategies for Brighton & Hove's coastline. Find out more about our coastal management policies.

Flooding from the sea

The Environment Agency is directly responsible for sections of the coast that are prone to flooding from the sea. 

Coastal defence

The Environment Agency, on behalf of Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) has a national responsibility for coast defence. Defra handles coast defence policy.