We encouraged Brighton Marina to seek an alternative disposal site as a long-term solution but have not promoted or endorsed the use of the Newhaven site in preference to any other option. It’s important to note that the Newhaven disposal site is adjacent to Beachy Head West MCZ and we remain concerned about potential impacts on this marine protected area. Our preferred option is a new disposal site offshore, well away from the MCZ.

Within marine licence applications the applicant (i.e. Brighton Marina) has an obligation to fully consider alternative disposal sites. The suitability of the Newhaven site would therefore need to be assessed and evidenced by Brighton Marina and then scrutinised by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) – particularly because this site is already being used for dredge disposal by Newhaven Port. There is currently no available data or evidence to quantify the environmental impacts of any additional dredge disposal at Newhaven.

Sussex Wildlife Trust awaits further information submitted by the applicant to determine what the environmental impacts might be, with particular focus on impacts to the adjacent MCZ. Until we have this information, Sussex Wildlife Trust does not have a view on whether Newhaven is a suitable alternative disposal site. We will respond to any further licence application as and when it is submitted, and our comments will be based on the ecological evidence supplied alongside it.