East Head Coastal Issues Advisory Group (EHCIAG)

Introduction

EHCIAG is a working group of stakeholders set up in response to the Pagham to East Head Coastal Defence Strategy adopted in 2009. The nature of the group is unique in its composition as so many organisations have been drawn together at one time to develop coastal management policy of East Head. EHCIAG consists of delegates from Chichester District Council, Chichester Harbour Conservancy, Environment Agency, Natural England, National Trust, West Wittering Parish Council, West Wittering Estate Plc, Woodger Trust, Cakeham Manor Estate Ltd. The purpose of EHCIAG is to monitor changes at East Head and to react to these changes. EHCIAG’s role is purely advisory and seeks to ensure decisions taken by operating authorities are well informed and are based on the best available information.

Adaptive Management

Adaptive Management is defined by East Head Coastal Issues Advisory Group (EHCIAG) as:-

“The aim of Adaptive Management will be to preserve the social, economic, environmental, navigation and amenity value of East Head to the community for the life of the Strategy. The emphasis will not be on trying to lock the feature in its present size, shape and location, nor should it be encouraging orientation in a pre-determined direction”

The Strategy referred to is the “Pagham to East Head Coastal Defence Strategy” adopted in 2009.The strategy has no defined life period for review but will be subject to re-examination if material changes occur.

The above image was taken on the 20th of March 2024 and shows the current status of ‘the hinge’. To learn more and view the minutes from the latest EHCIAG meeting, click here.