Chichester Harbour Conservancy - Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

East Head

Latest News / Background / Reports & Press Releases / East Head on the Learning Zone

Latest News

April 2010:
As part of the requirement of the Adaptive Mangement policy, East Head is regularly monitored using survey data from the Channel Coastal Observatory. The March 2010 report showed a significant influx of sand onto the West Wittering frontage, some of which has been transported by longshore drift to the West and North to nourish the neck and East Head itself. As a result the report stated that East Head is healthier and more robust than it has been for probably the last ten years. The photo above was taken in May 2010.

However, erosion is continuing on the lower foreshore in front of the Hinge where the clay bedrock has been exposed.

If you would like to be updated on events, please sign up for the eNewsletter.

Background Information

East Head is an important sand dune feature at the entrance to Chichester Harbour. It is used for recreation by many thousands of walkers and tourists. The hinge - the point of the dune system that connects it to the land is currently under threat. This is of great concern to local people and Chichester Harbour Conservancy.

East Head is owned and managed by the National Trust who can be contacted on 01243 814554 and as it is a SSSI, Natural England (formerly English Nature) also play an important role in its management.

The Conservancy are an interested party as it is our role to maintain navigation in Chichester Harbour. If the hinge is breached it may have a significant impact on the flow of water through the harbour entrance therefore affecting the deep water channels and ultimately the use of the harbour for navigation and marine related businesses.

The rock berm alongside the inside of the hinge was put in place by the Conservancy in 2000, a recharge of this area was carried out in 2005 and again in 2009. Future management will be adaptive depending on the current needs of the area.

Take a virtual tour of East Head in our Learning Zone.

Reports, Press Releases and Photographs

 

* East Head Aerial Photograph May 2009
* East Head Aerial Photography May 2008
* East Head Press Release Dec 2008
* East Head Press Release July 2008
* Copies of 4 charts from 1871 / 1914 / 1971 / 2000 showing the changing shape of East Head

Back to top