West Beach
July 6th 2026.
West Beach, Newhaven.
The Town Council is acutely aware of its residents ongoing desire for access to the West Beach as the summer weather and its heatwaves look set to continue.
The West Beach is the private property of Newhaven Port and Properties which itself is owned and operated by a French Company, and as such, the Town, District and County Councils have no power to require the company to provide access, despite the wishes of residents and visitors.
Since 2008 the Town Council has pressed the French owners for public access by way of direct dialogue, and via legal processes culminating in a Public Enquiry and Supreme Court Ruling (2015) which determined that the Harbour Byelaws take precedence over public access. To date, the Directors of Newhaven Port and Properties have cited the following reasons for its closure;
- That they believe it would not be possible to continue to dredge the shipping channel inside the port if the beach was open because the dredging would contaminate the bathing water.
- NPP does not currently have the financial means to carry out the expensive repairs needed to the sea-wall to make the beach safe.
- Although it is possible to take out public liability insurance to protect against compensation claims by members of the public in the event of an accident, NPP believes it is not possible to protect its personnel against possible prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter Act if something were to go wrong.
A chronological record of the Town Councils actions (2008-2015) can be found at https://www.newhaventowncouncil.gov.uk/about-the-town-council/the-west-beach-green-village/
Whilst the Town Council will not condone any action that facilitates illegal access to the beach, they, together with the District and County Councils remain open to any dialogue with the owners of Newhaven Port & Properties to achieve a mutually satisfactory solution to the issue.
The Mayor of Newhaven Town states:
“Residents have made it clear that access to West Beach remains a matter of great importance to our community. The Town Council shares their frustration that, despite many years of effort, a resolution has yet to be found. While respecting the legal position and private ownership of the site, we continue to believe that a mutually beneficial solution is possible and stand ready to engage in discussions with the owners at any time. Our priority remains ensuring that the voices of Newhaven residents are heard and represented”