Selsey East Beach Regeneration
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SELSEY EAST BEACH - Reconnecting with the sea Contents page page 1.1 Introduction 4.2 Design Development 1.1 Reconnection with the sea 1 4.2.1 Initial ideas / Explorations / Themes 24 1.2 The vision 1 4.2.2 Exemplar precedents Observations from case examples 25 1.3 Introduction: Aims and Objectives 2 4.2.3 Initial Masterplan site-wide layout 27 1.4 The Team 2 4.2.4a Stakeholder Consultation 28 1.5 Outline of the Masterplan process 2 4.2.4b Public Consultation 28 4.2.5 Issues raised at Public Consultation 29 2.1 Selsey The Context 4.2.6 Changes to the Initial Masterplan 30 2.1 Site location 3 2.2 Impressions of Selsey 4 4.3 Design Language 2.3 Land based heritage 5 4.3.1 Street furniture 33 2.4 Undersea heritage: Natural and Human 6 4.3.2 Lighting 34 2.5.1 Current Issues: Coastal Defences 7 4.3.3 Trees / Planting 35 2.5.2 Current Issues: Fishing Community 8 2.5.3 Current Issues: Diving Opportunities 9 4.4 Design Strategies 2.5.4 Current Issues: Events 10 4.4.1 Internal Access and Circulation 36 4.4.2 Links to the Wider Area 37 3.0 Initial Assessment 4.5 Masterplan: Site Wide Layout 38 3.1 Analysis 3.1.1 The Environment 11 4.6 Masterplan indicative layouts 3.1.2 Strategic Planning Policy and Initiatives 12 4.6.1 The Hub Public Realm 39 3.1.3 Site Zoning 13 4.6.2 The Hub Buildings 41 4.6.3 The Play and Sports Zone 43 3.2 Site Exploration 4.6.4 The Seafront Strip 45 3.2.1 The Hub 14 4.6.5 The Car Park 47 3.2.2 The Play and Sports Zone 15 4.6.6 The Pond 48 3.2.3 The Seafront Strip 16 4.6.7 Orchard Parade 49 3.2.4 The Car Park 17 3.2.5 The Pond 18 4.7 Feedback 50 3.2.6 Orchard Parade 19 4.8 Next Steps: Taking the vision forward 3.3 Tourism Assessment 4.8.1 Cultural ambition and Programme of Activities 51 3.3.1 Summary observations on UK demographic trends 20 4.8.2 Funding Opportunities 55 3.3.2 Innovative initiatives: Case examples 20 4.8.3 Partnership Development 57 3.3.3 Summary observations on case examples 21 4.8.4 Phasing 58 3.3.4 General comments on tourism in Chichester district 21 4.8.5 Initial Funding Bid 58 3.3.5 SWOT Analysis 21 4.8.6 Budget Costings 59 4.8.7 Financial commentary summary 59 3.4 Conclusion of Initial Assessment 22 Appendix A 4.0 The Masterplan Tabulated results of Public Consultation questionnaire 60 4.1 The Design Vision 23 Appendix B Financial Commentary: Revenue generating opportunities 64 SELSEY EAST BEACH - Reconnecting with the sea Introduction 1 1.1 Reconnection with the sea 1.2 The Vision Selsey's culture is characterised by an ambivalent relationship with the sea. On Selsey has a unique position jutting out from the end of the Manhood Peninsula The Vision is the creation of a Masterplan to act as a catalyst for regeneration, the one hand, it is its lifeblood; St Wilfrid taught the locals to make nets in the into the English Channel. Its uninterrupted views South, East and West benefiting Selsey as a whole. Selsey is the most deprived area in Chichester seventh century and ever since it has been, first and foremost, a fishing overlooking the Isle of Wight; its wonderful light and above-average days of District in terms of income. The project has the potential to directly affect and community. sunlight; its ever-changing seascape where Easterly and Westerly currents meet; improve the income levels of the fishermen whilst catalysing additional income- and its exposure to the elements have historically made it a popular tourist generating activities elsewhere. The provision of a range of retail outlets has the On the other hand, however, the sea threatens the town's destruction. When it destination; an important strategic location for the RNLI and the centre of a potential to create a number of jobs and will benefit other businesses in Selsey was occupied by the Romans, the coast was around two miles further off shore successful fishing industry supplying the famous Selsey Crab to restaurants and the surrounding region through the promotion of local seafoods, farming than it is now. In the 1950s, 26 yards were being lost to the sea per year. Coastal nationwide. produce and crafts. It will help to consolidate the Selsey Crab brand and defence therefore figures very strongly in the local consciousness. encourage other food producers to market their products under a shared However, after decades of declining traditional seaside tourism, the town, which banner. The proposed retail outlets might also house the stalls of other local It is perhaps because of this tension and its relative isolation at the tip of the has expanded dramatically, from a simple, fishing village to a dormitory producers, complementing the retail provision of the High Street and Orchard Manhood Peninsula that Selsey people are strongly independent and motivated settlement is in need of regeneration. Attempts to bring new industries and Parade. Selsey already has a high proportion of independent retailers so the to drive change. In March 2001, and then again in July 2008, Selsey was one of the work to the town are thwarted, largely because of its position at the end of a promotion of the town as being locally distinctive and providing an authentic Peninsula communities that supported a series of workshops, entitled 'Going peninsula. shopping experience will also benefit the wider retail environment. Dutch' in which over twenty Dutch and British coastal spatial planners, engineers As Selsey is threatened by coastal erosion and rising sea levels, an important and environmentalists worked with the local authorities, Environment Agency It also faces huge changes and challenges arising from climate change. Proposed function of the masterplan will be to raise awareness and understanding of issues and community representatives to explore coastal defence options and propose plans put forward by the Environment Agency and the local authorities include of climate and environmental change. The forging of a reconnection with the a sustainable future for the Peninsula. dramatic changes to its coastline including the creation of new wetland areas at undersea environment is key to the project and the aim is to facilitate a wide Medmerry to the West of the town. range of educational, research and leisure activities directly related to the sea. Community-led initiatives such as these form the background for our proposals The environmental benefits of the scheme relate largely to the improvement of at East Beach. We are seeking to demonstrate how sensitive development that is Its uncompromising geographical position and its coastal heritage is becoming the visual amenity of the area through the replacement of the miscellaneous huts founded upon and enhances local identity can drive sustainable development. increasingly recognised by the community and the local authorities as its and equipment with a planned facility. This will help make the area more Through raising Selsey's economic, social and environmental qualities we also strongest asset. By enhancing its inherent qualities its historical connection attractive to visitors and will encourage people to choose to visit East Beach. hope to raise its profile and prioritisation for the continued maintenance of its with the sea, its rural location, its low-key, relaxed atmosphere and its pro-active There are also environmental benefits to be derived from the sustainable and sea defences. approach to climate change the town has the opportunity of restoring its energy-efficient design of the replacement buildings. position as a unique destination on the South coast. The time is right for the This vision seeks to capture the spirit of previous and proposed initiatives, town to once more turn its face to the sea and celebrate its roots as a coastal It is the intention that the East Beach Masterplan and intended funding bids through the commissioning of this Masterplan, and build on them to make a community. (CABE Sea Change amongst others) will place Selsey once more at the leading cultural reconnection to; to embrace and celebrate Selsey's relationship with the edge of the Manhood Peninsula and Chichester's coastal zone, reinvigorating Sea. Selsey is the largest community in the Manhood Peninsula, a low-lying coastal Selsey's connection with the sea and breathing new vitality into the town to area already recognised locally, regionally, nationally and internationally as being ensure that its community, the most disadvantaged in the Chichester District, at the vanguard of climate change adaptation. Tw o Dutch/Anglo workshops held benefits from its unique location. on the Manhood at the instigation of local people and supported by the local authorities identified the area as one that will be impacted by climate change but that, with far-sighted and integrated planning and policies, could use the threat as an opportunity to benefit the community, culturally, socially, economically and environmentally. (See Going Dutch report I and II). These opportunities have been recognised by the local community and local and regional authorities, which recognise the growing opportunities associated with eco-tourism. The Government Office for the South East has identified the Manhood Peninsula as an area of strategic opportunity for biodiversity improvement; and there are moves to introduce an Integrate Coastal Zone Management approach for the Manhood Peninsula. Ecotourism and cultural tourism is already a strong and growing part of the economy for the Chichester district as a whole, with nearby Chichester and Pagham Harbours, both internationally designated sites of natural beauty and special scientific interest, and the South Downs to the North now a National Park.