Since September last year, Sussex Wildlife Trust has been opposing Brighton Marina’s application to keep dumping dredged sediment in Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ).

This harmful activity should not be allowed to continue but we are still waiting for the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to decide whether to renew the Marina’s licence. Weeks ago, the MMO said their decision was ‘imminent’ but the longer this goes on, the less confident we are that the MMO will act to properly protect this marine protected area.

It’s time to put on more pressure and take this to the top. We want the Secretary of State to step in and review the case to make sure the MMO upholds its biodiversity duty and makes the right decision: to stop dumping on our reef and properly protect Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone.

This is where you come in!

We need the Secretary of State to know just how many people oppose the Marina’s application to keep dumping sediment on Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone.

We’ve set out some key points in a template email for you to use but please do add your own words, as we know this makes a much bigger impact. Let the Secretary of State know what you think and why it’s time to stop dumping on our reef.

Your words will then be added to our template email, which you can read and review at the next step. Click ‘View your email’ once you’ve filled in the boxes to move on to the next step and finalise your email.

Public pressure is powerful. Your voice can make a real difference, and we urgently need your support.

About Beachy Head West

Beachy Head West is a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), which is similar to a nature reserve at sea. It’s a nationally important wildlife hotspot home to Short-snouted Seahorses, Blue Mussel beds and a unique intertidal chalk reef.

Dumping dredged sediment here will smother and pollute the reef and its special wildlife. There are knock-on impacts for people too: the area is a popular surf spot, and the impacts of sediment disposal are known to affect water quality.

For further information on this issue, and a summary of the action we’ve taken to date, please see this page on our website.