Wildlife trust wants marina silt disposed offshore

A wildlife trust has called for a new offshore disposal site to be found for sediment dredged from Brighton Marina, saying it remains concerned about plans being explored off Newhaven.

Brighton Marina has been looking for a long-term disposal site since Sussex Wildlife Trust successfully challenged a licence in 2025 for disposal of sediment at Rottingdean.

The marina has said dredging is needed to maintain safe access and there are limited options available for disposal sites.

Sussex Wildlife Trust said Newhaven was a "protected area" that sat adjacent to the Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ).

Campaigners previously claimed the silt was a "black, thick, slimy, petrochemically smelling sludge", but Premier Marinas, which owns Brighton Marina, said dredged silt was regularly sampled to confirm it was not harmful.

John Cervenka, Premier Marinas chief operating officer, said: "Maintaining safe navigational access to Brighton Marina is not optional. It is a legal requirement and fundamental to the operation of the marina."

He said the marina was a major centre of economic activity.

According to the marina, about 150 businesses depend on the site, creating jobs for about 1,200 people, with more than eight million visits each year.

Premier Marinas said Newhaven had been identified as a potential alternative by Sussex Wildlife Trust.

However, the trust said in a statement on social media: "We have not promoted or endorsed Newhaven over any other option."

The trust said: "Newhaven sits adjacent to Beachy Head West MCZ, and we remain concerned about potential impacts on this protected area.

"Our preferred option is a new offshore disposal site, well away from the MCZ."

The trust said that Newhaven was already used for dredge disposal by Newhaven Port, and there was currently no available data on the impacts of additional disposal there.

Until it saw further evidence, it did not have a view on whether Newhaven was suitable, it added.

"We will respond to any future licence application based on the ecological evidence it contains," it said.

Brighton Marina hopes to submit a marine licence application to the Marine Management Organisation in November.

If approved, maintenance dredging could restart next spring.

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