Photo by Being Momentx
Sussex Wildlife Trust has launched a judicial review challenging the Marine Management Organisation’s decision to allow Brighton Marina to dump 100,000 tonnes of dredged sediment annually in a protected marine area for the next decade.
Protected area “in name only”
The charity argues the decision exposes “inadequate protection given to marine protected areas,” stating: “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 Marine Conservation Zone, running from Brighton to Eastbourne, is home to Short-snouted Seahorses, Blue Mussel beds and unique chalk reefs. Government reports describe it as containing “some of the best examples of chalk habitat in the South East region.”
Opposing views on dumping
Despite over 1,500 public objections and emails to Secretary of State Steve Reed MP, the MMO approved the licence renewal in May, stating it was reviewed “comprehensively” based on “scientific evidence.”
Premier Marinas defends the practice as essential for “safe navigation,” with dredged material “regularly sampled to confirm it is not harmful to the environment”. However, campaigners report the sediment creates “black, thick, slimy, petrochemically smelling sludge” in local rock pools.
Legal challenge strategy
Henri Brocklebank, Director of Conservation at Sussex Wildlife Trust, said: “Bold action is the only way to continue to fight for this protected area. 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.”
Rowan Smith, Senior Associate Solicitor at Leigh Day, said their legal team argues “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.”
Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven MP Chris Ward supports the challenge, stating: “Our marine environment is too precious to be treated as an afterthought.”
The judicial review will examine the MMO’s decision-making process, with potential implications for how all 91 Marine Conservation Zones around England are managed in future.