New Forest District Council secures funding for Hurst Spit beach recycling works

Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (SRFCC) has endorsed a funding bid by NFDC, enabling the works to proceed once the final business case is approved by the Environment Agency.

Additionally, NFDC has received conditional assent from Natural England, allowing operations to take place on this designated environmental site.

Councillor Geoffrey Blunden, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, said: "I am very pleased that the importance of maintaining Hurst Spit has been recognised by both the Southern RFCC and Natural England, and I thank them for their support. I also extend my thanks to the Coastal Team for their hard work in securing this positive outcome."

The council is now progressing with the procurement of a suitable contractor, with works expected to commence in October 2025, subject to suitable weather and tides. The duration of the recycling work is anticipated to be approximately three weeks. 

The works will involve moving of up to 15,000m³ of shingle from areas of accretion to the depleted central area, in order to widen the crest where it is narrow and weak following last season's damaging storms, particularly Storm Herminia in January. 

More information about how New Forest District Council is managing the coastline is available at https://newforest.gov.uk/article/1411/New-Forest-coast