SOUTHSEA COASTAL SCHEME
The Southsea Coastal Scheme is the UK’s largest local authority-led coastal defence project, worth more than £180M. It will stretch for 4.5km from Old Portsmouth to Eastney and help to reduce the risk of flooding to more than 10,000 homes and 700 businesses. Phase one of six of the Scheme started in September 2020.
Managing our coast is becoming increasingly important as sea levels rise and our climate changes. Existing sea defences are ageing and do not provide enough protection against flooding. The effects of climate change are expected to increase this risk of flooding further over the next century. For these reasons, we are replacing and improving the defences.
Our story 2025
AREA AT RISK
The map below shows the area of Southsea which is at risk from a major flood event.
Throughout history, major storms have caused severe flooding in Portsmouth. In recent years waves have regularly washed over the top of existing defences and there have been several major failures along the frontage, increasing the risk of flooding and costing more than £1m in repair works.
Significant storms are expected to happen again, and climate change is expected to increase the intensity and frequency of major storms.
WHAT WE'RE PROTECTING
More than 10,000 residential properties
704 commercial properties
16 residential properties at risk of coastal erosion
3 scheduled monuments and 74 listed structures
4 critical access routes at risk from flood water
OUR HISTORIC SEAFRONT
We work with Historic England, Portsmouth City Council’s planning department and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to ensure the Southsea Coastal Scheme protects and enhances the important heritage assets along the seafront.
SEAFRONT SHELTERS & LAMP COLUMNS (GRADE II LISTED)
After agreeing a methodology with the council’s planning department and Historic England, the shelters and lamps will be removed by a specialist contractor and essential repairs will be undertaken. They will be reinstalled as close to their original positions as possible, whilst being centred along the promenade.
MONUMENTS (GRADE II LISTED)
The six monuments on Clarence Esplanade promenade will all be carefully dismantled by a specialist contractor. They will then be relocated on top of the new promenade, very close to their existing positions but taking the opportunity to improve their setting and prominence.
NAVAL MEMORIAL (GRADE I LISTED)
The design of the defences around this important memorial will seek to respect its setting and prominence. We are in discussions with Historic England and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission regarding plans to replicate the relationship between the seating and planters and the new raised promenade.
LONG CURTAIN MOAT (SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENT)
A new vertical wall has been built in front of the historic wall, providing another layer of protection. The wall is clad with a high-quality material agreed by Historic England and the council’s planning department to reflect the character and match the appearance of the original wall.
