Sussex Wildlife Trust launches legal action to stop the dumping of sediment in Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone
Sussex Wildlife Trust is challenging the decision by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to allow Brighton Marina to keep dumping dredged sediment in Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), an activity that should not be allowed in a protected area.
Our legal action exposes the current inadequate protection given to marine protected areas. If 100,000 tonnes of dredged spoil can be dumped annually in a designated Marine Conservation Zone, it's clear these areas are protected in name only.
Beachy Head West MCZ is a nationally important wildlife hotspot, home to Short-snouted Seahorse, Blue Mussel beds and a unique chalk reef. Dumping dredged sediment in this protected area is impacting the sensitive chalk reef and harming its wildlife.
Brighton Marina’s application for a renewed licence to continue dumping dredged spoil into Beachy Head West MCZ was approved by the MMO in May this year. The licence was originally granted before the MCZ was designated, but now that the area is protected, this harmful activity should not be allowed to continue.
Sussex Wildlife Trust, alongside other environmental charities and hundreds of individuals, responded to the consultation to object to the renewal of the Marina’s licence. Over 1,500 emails were also sent to Secretary of State, Steve Reed MP, sharing concerns about continued dumping in a protected area.
Despite strong objections, the MMO granted permission for the continued dumping of 100,000 tonnes of dredged spoil into Beachy Head West every year, for the next ten years. As an environmental charity we do not take the decision to make a legal challenge lightly, but we believe we must act as a voice for nature and continue to fight for this protected area. Therefore, Sussex Wildlife Trust has applied for a judicial review of the decision.
What is a judicial review?
A judicial review is a legal process by which a court examines the lawfulness of a decision made by a public body (in this case the Marine Management Organisation). It is not about whether the decision is right or wrong, but the process by which the decision was reached.
Henri Brocklebank, Director of Conservation, Sussex Wildlife Trust said:
“Bold action is the only way to continue to fight for this protected area. By applying for judicial review, we are following our own values of being the strongest advocate for nature in Sussex. Inaction will see the continued dumping of 100,000 tonnes of dredged sediment in our MCZ every year for the next 10 years – this is not acceptable in a protected area and is a terrible precedent to set for the future management of all 91 Marine Conservation Zones around the English coast.”
Rowan Smith, Senior Associate Solicitor, Leigh Day said:
“Our client’s legal action seeks to rescue the Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone from further sedimentation. We are arguing on our client’s behalf that significant harm to this protected area resulting from the disposal could not be lawfully ruled out, because the Marine Management Organisation had failed to properly assess the impact. Our client is rightly concerned about the steps that led to the new licence, and we hope the Court will grant permission for a hearing to fully scrutinise that decision-making process.”
In the midst of a nature and climate crisis, it’s vital we take every step possible to secure nature’s recovery. We need to make sure Beachy Head West, and all marine protected areas are properly protected.
Our legal costs have partially been covered by a generous donation, but we expect that proceedings will cost thousands of pounds more. If you are able to support this action and our work to protect the precious marine habitats off our coast every donation makes a difference.
Comments
Its great that you are taking legal action to prevent this and I’m glad to donate to the legal fund. It is ridiculous that commercial interests can receive authorisation from an ‘official’ body to literally dump dredging waste into a Marine Protected area.
28 Aug 2025 09:15:00
please save this beautiful habitat and marine life from destruction and pollution. Dumping dredged sediment in this protected area is going to kill what precious life there is here.
Brighton Marina’s application for a renewed licence to continue dumping dredged spoil into Beachy Head West MCZ is harmful and should not be allowed to continue.
28 Aug 2025 10:17:00
Go for it
28 Aug 2025 10:22:00
than you for your concern and tenacity. Well done. There should be NO dumping in the sea of anywhere.
28 Aug 2025 10:36:00
It is quite beyond belief that this commercial dumping has been granted another 10 year licence. We must do everything we can to protect this marine habitat and indeed our planet. I already support Sussex Wildlife on a monthly basis and will continue to do so.
28 Aug 2025 11:01:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Hi Sally, thank you for your continued support
I didn’t know about this dumping, or that there’s so much sediment in the Marina! Thankyou for your action in challenging this! 💚
28 Aug 2025 11:14:00
Thank you for your continued work on this. I would love to ask those responsible for making this decision:
What they are seeking to achieve by this decision and what behaviours does this decision reward?
For whose benefit have they taken this decision?
What is the lasting legacy they wish to leave for their own families and for future generations?
As I coach, I also love to ask the question: “At the end of your life looking back, what will you be proud of and what will you regret?” I hope these questions might help to incite some deeper reflection from those responsible and support your ongoing communications and efforts in challenging this abhorrent decision and outcome. As a (supposedly) evolved species, there is no society that should ever exist which permits a small minority motivated by self-interest to profit from the harm caused to others, including the harm to nature and those who value it.
28 Aug 2025 11:18:00
I am utterly disgusted. Premier Marinas Ltd (Company number 02973858) which runs Brighton last had an annual total income of over £50,000,000. Their environmental promise is to “dredge responsibly”. Doubtless they can afford to bump up the costs of a notoriously expensive Judicial Review. Good luck naming and shaming those who took the decision to renew the dumping licence.
28 Aug 2025 12:25:00
I have dived along the ledges at Saltdean – a wonderful place. I few weeks ago when I was sailing we saw the diggers in the marina heaving dark stinky mud into the dredger. On the way back we passed the dredger making it’s way eastwards along the coast leaving a black stain on our marine conservation zone. Unbelievable! This really must not be allowed- the very best of luck to SWT to challenge the MMO decision. I have donated
28 Aug 2025 13:09:00
what about a go funding page? def fight this
28 Aug 2025 13:17:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
HI Alison, if you would like to donate the legal costs, click here
This beggars believe, happy to make a donation to fight this, good luck and will look forward to hearing the the outcome.
28 Aug 2025 13:38:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Thank you for your support
It’s time to step up looking after our natural world – not stepping back in time to decimate it.
28 Aug 2025 15:23:00
I find it incomprehensible that this dumping has been allowed. I will make a donation,
28 Aug 2025 15:24:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Hi Mike, thank you for your support
I can’t afford much but have donated, this is appalling, those poor sea creatures
28 Aug 2025 15:25:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Hi Carol, thank you so much for your support
Thank you for pursuing this important action.
28 Aug 2025 16:11:00
The marina itself was constructed over an area of wonderful biological interest, it contained chalk rockpools full of developing marine creatures and many children, myself included, spent hours of pleasure discovering about the different types of marine life. Having fouled up one marine area by commercial development then to be allowed to decimate another with muck from the first is inexcusable and should be stopped.
Unfortunately the Sussex coastal area has also been used as a dumping ground for pumped effluent for more than 70 years and the inshore scallop dredgers have ruined the local spawning areas.
More strength to your arm in your efforts to protect the marine life.
28 Aug 2025 18:13:00
I’m so behind you in trying to protect this sensitive area- thank you!
29 Aug 2025 07:13:00
Can a more suitable dumping site be identified? If a similar distance from Marina perhaps licence could be amended.
29 Aug 2025 13:48:00
I support SWT in this action and I hope that this the right way to seek redress.I have one question.
If this legal action is going to be long drawn out procedure does the dumping continue all the while it is going through the courts?
29 Aug 2025 15:22:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Yes, the depositing of sediment will still take place will the legal process is ongoing
I’m so behind you in trying to protect this sensitive area- thank you!
30 Aug 2025 09:09:00
I support this legal action to stop the dumping of waste at Beachy Head. What were they thinking?
30 Aug 2025 10:41:00
I find it inexcusable that one public body, the Marine Management Organisation, should seek to overturn the environmental protection given to the Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone. I support the judicial review.
01 Sep 2025 12:31:00
Well done. I am fully supportive of the legal challenge by Sussex Wildlife Trust. Keep up the good work.
01 Sep 2025 14:25:00
Thank you for taking this stance and I hope many will have your back – the MMO should be ashamed.
Life in all sizes should be preserved not destroyed, surely an alternative company who can utilise the dredged waste for powering electricity or similar could be investigated. Good luck.
01 Sep 2025 20:23:00
I strongly support this admirable action.
02 Sep 2025 21:26:00
Cannot believe anybody who lives locally would welcome the decision to keep dumping near Beachy Head. Glad the Trust is doing something about it. Good luck and hopefully the review will be successful
03 Sep 2025 15:29:00
There were hundreds and hundreds of mussels along the coast from the marina to Ovingdean – I wondered what could have been factor in decline and change of that local ecosystem – I had thought cement ingredients and human refuse would have been a factor but it is such a good thing that Sussex Wildlife trust is challenging a nonsense and damaging practice – by the marina and is it endorsed by the local council and environment agency?!?!
I’d be happy to volunteer to support the wildlife trust
05 Sep 2025 13:49:00
Very well done for challenging and raising this important issue. MPAs must be respected.
16 Sep 2025 07:05:00
The clue is Marine Protected Area. The designation should take precedence on the expiry of previous agreements. It simply means the spoil will have to be taken to an area outside the MPA. The MMO need to understand their role is to protect the seabed and encourage the development of conservation related industry.
16 Sep 2025 16:54:00
Keep going!
18 Sep 2025 09:32:00
They can’t do this!!!! Protected areas are protected for a reason! It’s unfair for them to be doing this to a protected area. It will have huge consequences on the marine life living there!!!!!!
19 Sep 2025 15:18:00
They can’t do this!!!! Protected areas are protected for a reason! It’s unfair for them to be doing this to a protected area. It will have huge consequences on the marine life living there!!!!!!
20 Sep 2025 09:00:00
This dumping must not be allowed to happen!
24 Sep 2025 10:54:00