Sussex Wildlife Trust has moved to clarify its position on the future of dredging at Brighton Marina, following suggestions that the environmental charity has endorsed proposals to shift the disposal of dredged sediment to a site off Newhaven.
The Trust, which successfully challenged the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) over a previous ten-year licence to dump sediment within the Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), has stated that any claim of endorsement for the Newhaven location is inaccurate.
“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,” a spokesperson for the Trust said.
The controversy stems from the complex logistical and environmental requirements of maintaining Brighton Marina. The facility requires regular dredging to ensure safe navigation, a process that has historically seen sediment disposed of at a licensed site in Rottingdean. However, the designation of the surrounding area as an MCZ in 2013 intensified scrutiny of these operations. While the MMO granted a new decade-long licence for Rottingdean in May 2025, that decision was later quashed following a legal challenge initiated by the Sussex Wildlife Trust, forcing the marina operator to look for alternatives.
Premier Marinas, the operator of the site, is now conducting environmental assessments to determine if the Newhaven disposal site—currently used for material dredged from Newhaven Port—could serve as a viable long-term solution.
The Trust remains cautious regarding this potential move. “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,” the Trust spokesperson added. “Our preferred option is a new disposal site offshore, well away from the MCZ.”
The Trust maintains that there is currently a lack of empirical data to quantify the environmental impact of adding Brighton’s dredged material to the volume already processed at Newhaven. Until further evidence is provided and reviewed, the organization holds no formal position on the suitability of the Newhaven site and intends to scrutinize any future licence application submitted to the MMO.
For Premier Marinas, the stakes are significant. John Cervenka, the company’s chief operating officer, emphasized that dredging is not optional but a legal requirement for safe access. He noted that the marina serves as a major economic hub, supporting roughly 1,200 jobs and contributing approximately £130 million in annual gross value added to the local economy.
“Finding a dependable long-term dredging solution therefore matters to the whole community and the city of Brighton,” Mr. Cervenka said. “We’re now doing the detailed assessments needed to understand properly what using that site would mean, both environmentally and operationally, before we submit a licence application.”
Premier Marinas expects to complete its technical modelling in October, with a formal marine licence application anticipated in November. The company is targeting the spring of 2027 to implement a new, long-term maintenance dredging strategy.
Once the application is submitted, the MMO will initiate a standard validation and public consultation process. This will provide an opportunity for local stakeholders, environmental groups, and the public to review the evidence and share their perspectives. Mr. Cervenka stressed the importance of transparency, noting that “it is important everyone understands the facts” and that those who rely on the marina’s operations—from commercial fishers to retail businesses—should have the opportunity to engage with the consultation process.
For now, the Sussex Wildlife Trust has committed to responding to the forthcoming application based strictly on the ecological data provided, maintaining its focus on the potential risks to the protected status of the coastline.
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