Chichester District Council has kicked off early market engagement for a £108m coastal defence scheme in Selsey on the Manhood Peninsula in West Sussex
The Selsey Coastal Scheme will overhaul the ageing sea walls
groynes and beach defences protecting the peninsula’s low-lying coastline
With existing structures increasingly prone to failure
the council is advancing a full-scale capital works programme planned to run from 2030 to 2040
Prior to the construction of the existing sea wall in the 1950’s
Selsey was reported as one of the fastest eroding coastlines in England
A feasibility study completed in 2023 backed the viability of a major scheme
leading to successful funding for the current options appraisal and outline design stage
Early designs from consultant Royal Haskoning DHV propose encapsulating or replacing the current reinforced concrete sea walls and timber groynes
Chichester council is calling for contractors with experience in large-scale coastal and civil engineering to register interest in a preliminary market engagement process running until 2 May 2025
Engagement activities will include site visits
workshops and virtual sessions to explore constructability
Interested firms should email the council to register
08 Apr 2025 By Harmsworth
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Chichester District Council has launched early market engagement with contractors on a major coastal protection scheme for Selsey
with construction costs expected to exceed £90m
The local authority is developing a long-term solution to protect the West Sussex peninsula from increasing coastal erosion and tidal flood risk
Its 1950s-era sea wall and associated defences are nearing the end of their design life
with rising maintenance costs and climate-related challenges prompting a full-scale overhaul
the council said it aims to ‘hold the line’ along the coastline
in line with existing Shoreline Management Plans
using a mix of replacement structures and upgrades to existing sea walls and timber groynes
which began in November 2024 following a successful Flood Defence Grant in Aid bid
is expected to result in an Outline Business Case (OBC) by 2027
The council was awarded more than £2.9m was last year awarded by the Environment Agency to support early design work
The funding followed feasibility work by the council’s coastal engineering service
which showed that over 700 properties could be at risk of flooding in a 1-in-200-year storm event
The construction phase will require Full Business Case approval
with a provisional contract period running from September 2030 to 2040
Given the scale and complexity of the scheme
the council is inviting technically experienced civil and coastal engineering contractors to provide feedback on preferred design options
sequencing and cost data for bespoke and temporary works
Engagement activities will include virtual meetings
Interested parties must register by 2 May 2025 via Hampshire County Council's procurement service
The scheme is being procured under the 2023 Procurement Act and will follow HM Treasury's project lifecycle and funding gateways
Architect and procurement route details have not yet been confirmed
Source: Gov.uk Find a Tender
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there will be a remembrance service and celebration featuring the RNLI
and the event will culminate in the lighting of Selsey’s beacon
VE Day commemorates the official end of World War II in Europe
when Allied forces accepted Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender
V2 Radio will be covering events in Selsey on the 8th of May 2025
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Oxford City Women kept up the pressure on the leaders with another excellent win this afternoon when goals from Kitty Crouch Anna O'Leary and Ellie Walecki helped them to a 2--0 win away at Selsey
An end to end first half on the south coast saw two energetic teams trade chances with City keeper Keira Maskell saving well early on and key defender Billie Bough French kicking a shot off the line as the home side pressed
There were loud shouts for a penalty when the livewire Emily Harris looked to have been upended in the final minute of the first half but in time added on young striker Crouch pounced to put City a goal up at the break
Amber Le Beau and Crouch again went close as they laid siege to the Selsey goal and in the end the pressure paid off after 85 minutes when Walecki burst through a couple of challenges and slammed the ball home to seal the three points at 3-0
"That was an excellent away performance" Manager Connor Walton told us
"Selsey made it hard for us and had chances early on but we kept applying the pressure
kept gathering momentum and after going in a goal up at half time we dominated much of the second half
"Three goals and a clean sheet on the road mean we will be a happy group making the journey back to Oxford tonight."
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Eli Clive looks ahead to Borough Women facing Step Five opposition in the Combined Counties Cup
Eastbourne Borough Women face their biggest challenge of the season on as tier 5 Selsey come to town for the Combined Counties Midweek Cup
Sitting two tiers above us in the football pyramid
this game offers a chance for us to test ourselves against higher-level opposition
Selsey have struggled to find their rhythm in the Southern Region Women’s Football League this season
They arrive after a 3-2 loss against Winchester City
their quality and experience at tier 5 make them a formidable opponent
approach this clash with a perfect record and in sensational form
The attack has grabbed plenty of headlines
highlighted by last week’s 19-0 win over Worthing Town
and a 22-0 win over Eastbourne Town earlier in the season
It’s even been matched by a defence that has been nothing short of rock solid
this backline has been impenetrable all season
Thursday night is more than just a cup tie; it’s an opportunity to show our resilience
and quality against higher-league opposition
A win would mark another incredible milestone in what has already been a remarkable season
Come support these women who have been nothing short of remarkable all season long
Reach TV Stadium Priory Lane Eastbourne East Sussex BN23 7QH
The Royals finally have lift-off in the league
with a Lucy Bolitho brace securing a long overdue
Two goals from Lucy Bolitho - one in each half - were enough for Reading Women to register their first league win of the season with a 2-1 victory on Sunday
They came from behind after visitors Selsey Women took an early lead via winger Isabelle Wheatley
Without putting too much pressure on the game - particularly when we’re only halfway through the season - it was still an obvious opportunity to see how Reading would compare and match up against another team at the wrong end of the table
It was a match where the scoreline didn’t reflect the domination
possession and chances created by the Royals
who - with a bit more composure and a clinical finish - should have put the game beyond the reach of Selsey
It was still a well earned and well deserved vital three points
propelling Reading from the bottom of the table into eighth position - leapfrogging both Badshot Lea and Selsey
Selsey were relegated last season from tier four
division one South West League and have again struggled to find any form
They started the afternoon in eighth position
with only two points - both earned in 2-2 draws against fellow relegation strugglers Badshot Lea
There were three changes to the starting line-up (from last weekend’s defeat to Winchester City Flyers)
With Rosie Robinson and Lily Simmonds not in the squad
Reading manager Pedro Bruno introduced Poppy Airey
Caitlin Levy and Sajunae Turner - with Megan Giles on the substitutes bench alongside Sumayah Zayadi
winning a corner and free-kick within the opening couple of minutes
though Bradley’s set-pieces were unable to find any Reading players within the penalty area
There’s no doubt that Reading’s strengths lie in the creative attacking options available
Bradley got down the right wing time and again
with another early angled effort flying across the Selsey six-yard box but wide of the back post
work rate and trickery caused problems to the Selsey defenders from a central position - setting up an early chance for Royals captain Bolitho
whose rushed effort blazed wide of the goal
Turner and Zayadi took it in turns (with the tactical use of rolling substitutes) to provide a target to aim at
hold the ball up and allow midfielders Bolitho and Fatri to press and join the attack to great effect
a bit of a shock when the visitors scored the first goal of the match - with pretty much their first (and only) dangerous attack during the first half
Selsey captain Nancy Sanderson combined well with Isabelle Wheatley
whose cross from a tight angle on the right looped over Preisner
finding its way into the top corner of the Reading goal
it didn’t appear to dampen the resolve of the Reading team
who quickly brushed themselves down and continued to attack
Bradley immediately flashed another pass across the penalty area
Gajzler then had a couple of quick shots - her second effort was pushed wide by Millie Delamont
setting up Royals striker Turner with an open goal - only to see her side-foot attempt go the wrong side of the post
putting another shot straight at the Selsey ‘keeper
before she finally got her just reward with a stunning strike from the edge of the penalty - which flew into the top right-hand corner for the equaliser
Bolitho and Bradley both had chances to put the Royals ahead
Reading captain Bolitho’s effort was blasted over from the penalty spot
with winger Bradley’s effort bending just wide of the far post
The stats (according to my math) at half-time proved Reading’s dominance
with 10 shots (and plenty of half-chances) and three corners - compared to two shots and zero corners for the visitors
Reading manager Bruno made one change at half-time
bringing on Giles for Brooke-Cousins (who came on again later)
Selsey started the second half with the first shot - straight at Preisner
it was pretty much one-way traffic with the Royals on the hunt for that elusive second goal
Bradley cut in from the right to set up Zayadi - her shot lacking power and saved by the fingertips of Delamont on the Selsey goal line
The lay-back to the edge of the Selsey penalty area was perfectly executed by Bolitho - her shot tucked into the bottom left-hand corner
Although the Royals continued to pile on the pressure they just couldn’t find the goal to put a bit of distance on the scoreline and help relax the (what appeared to be a smaller than usual) Reading crowd and
a nervous Reading coaching team (trying desperately not to show it!)
Bradley fired a dipping free-kick just over the crossbar
Gajzler did put the ball in the back of the net - only to see her goal ruled out for offside
which was a shame after a particularly good bit of play involving four Reading players
From corners: Turner had a close-range shot blocked by the Selsey goalkeeper
With the Reading goalkeeper remaining alert to any loose balls
when the whistle finally blew for the end of the match
it was greeted with cheers and shrieks of delight from fans and players alike
It was a well earned and well deserved win for the Royals
With the core of the team looking more settled
it certainly looked as though some of the players are now able to play in positions which are more suited to them
with Dench marshalling and leading by example
It’s also important to mention the utility of Morl
right-back and finally in midfield in this game - with 100% effort in every role
The team are definitely growing and maturing
and their passing and movement are really coming together now
With a more consistent and regular starting line-up - which we have seen of late - this can only bode well for future matches
There’s no doubt that scoring goals is still a bit of a problem
so this result can surely only help with confidence - as they have the attacking power
They just need to believe in themselves and
Reading are back in League Cup action - away to league rivals Sholing (to avenge an opening 3-0 league fixture defeat) with a 2.30pm kick-off
A vital away win moved the Royals four clear of the relegation places on Sunday
Reading Women grabbed a vital three points with their first league away victory of the season on Sunday - 3-0 at Selsey
Goals from Mia Bradley and captain Lucy Bolitho
secured the points to lift the Royals further away from the relegation place
At the start of the match Reading had slipped down to ninth position in the table
following Badshot Lea’s surprise draw against Oxford City last weekend
This win at Selsey was Reading’s second league victory of the season
and a second over relegation battlers Selsey
meaning the Royals once again leapfrogged Badshot Lea (who didn’t play at the weekend)
they’re now four points ahead of the Seals - who occupy the relegation position
Two goalkeepers were added to Reading’s squad during the week: Amy Whale
who has played for Maidenhead United Development
with pathway experience at Tilehurst Panthers and Wycombe Wanderers under-18s
it wasn’t a surprise to see that Cherry Preisner was absent from the team sheet - after she had sustained a concussion injury midweek - with Whale making her debut between the posts for the Royals
Reading manager Pedro Bruno made three further changes: Sajunae Turner
Zuzanna Gajzler and Amber Lloyd returning to the starting line-up
with Mollie Dench and Karima Elouath both unavailable and Ellie Herbert on the substitutes bench
Although Preisner and Dench were unable to play
it was great to see them still very much part of the team dynamic - supporting
encouraging and cheering them on from the sidelines
the teams swapped ends and Selsey got the match underway
With the sun making a timely appearance for the start of meteorological spring
new Reading goalkeeper Whale sported a cap to protect her vision
as she was hardly troubled or involved in what was a dominant opening 45 minutes for the Royals
Within the opening few minutes it became clear that Bradley would once again be the main threat for the Royals
but the shot was blocked and quickly followed by some early handball confusion (more of that later) over a penalty shout - which ended up as a free-kick to the home side
Reading didn’t have to wait long to settle any early matchday nerves when Poole - who had a terrific match in midfield - set up a chance for Bradley
who cut in from the left with a shot across Selsey ‘keeper Sophie Campbell and into the far corner of the goal
Bolitho was next to try her luck from the edge of the penalty area
but her shot was directed straight at the ‘keeper
Turner was unlucky not to double the lead when she bulldozed her way through the Selsey defence to create a great opportunity for herself
but she toe-poked her effort wide of the far post
Bruno chose to make a couple of early changes
bringing on Shardonna’e Kekere-Ekun and Assia Fatri
resting Gajzler and Turner (who returned to action in the second half)
Although the scoreline at the break was tight
who put in a real shift and effort right across the pitch
Further efforts from Poole and Kekere-Ekun were both wide of the goal and there was still time for another late change for Bradley where
she would have been disappointed with the finish
The start of the second half couldn’t have been better for Reading or more disastrous for Selsey
A back pass from Seals captain Gemma Halford rolled into the back of the net after the ‘keeper air-kicked her attempted long-distance clearance down field
with a particularly cruel divot meaning the ball bobbled past her
It was a much-needed bit of breathing space for Reading who
who were trying to salvage something from the match
Reading’s debutant goalkeeper got her first real test 50 minutes into the match
with a great near-post save after a header from a Selsey corner
It was a boost for her and the whole team to keep the scoreline intact
It was the home side who enjoyed some spells of pressure
coming close first with a goal-line clearance from the Reading defence and a cross cleared to safety by Kekere-Ekun
Selsey continued to push and came close with two good opportunities
Number nine Isabelle Childs dragged her shot wide from the left and substitute Sarah Walford similarly missed the target
Although the Reading ‘keeper didn’t have much more to save
she made another important stop with 20 minutes remaining
with Selsey players lined up behind her to tap the ball in
Bruno was in the unusual and privileged position (a rarity for most of this season) to be able to use his substitutes bench throughout the match
He took the opportunity to make the most of this
carrying out a total of seven changes during the 90-plus minutes
the reintroduced striker Turner turned and hit a shot which struck the post
with captain Bolitho quickest to react and boot home from close range
For a match of such importance to both teams
it was played with a great attitude and competitive throughout
It was a further testament to both sides because
on another day (and I’m sure with other sides in the league)
frustration may have boiled over due to a referee who lacked confidence and authority
and whose decisions were difficult to understand (including which way they were given) - with Turner surprisingly picking up a yellow card on 90+2
Reading had only scored in two of their last 10 matches - including the 2-1 victory against Selsey at Arbour Park back in January
It’s the second time Reading have scored three goals (own goals count!) and the third time they have kept a clean sheet - with the two previous occasions being cup matches
they are four points clear from the position no one wants to finish in
Let’s hope this helps push the team on and there’s still plenty to look forward to - with sisters Maya and Kayla Raghunandanan hopefully soon to feature in the Reading squad
after returning from international duty with the Jamaican under-20s national team - and an away fixture next weekend (March 9
Kara Godfrey
Deputy Travel EditorPublished: Invalid Date
A SMALL seaside town in the UK is often overlooked due to it's secluded location
could nearly be an island with it being surrounded by the sea on three sides
It became part of the mainland around 200 years ago
when a rich local landowner drained and filled the land to avoid a ferry ride from the mainland
there just one road in and out of the town
it boasts some of the highest sunlight hours in the UK
But the town's beach is currently undergoing a huge £3million redevelopment
As much as six yards disappears a year, making it one of the worst in the country.
Jonathan Brown, Chichester District Council’s Deputy Leader, said: "This money is vital in order to help us investigate options to reduce the risk of coastal flooding and erosion to Selsey.
"The coastal defences for Selsey involve a number of elements, including seawalls, rock revetments, groynes, and beach.
the council has undertaken a very successful programme of beach management through shingle replenishment
and Environment Agency funding is currently in place to continue these works until March 2026
"This has helped protect the aging seawalls from major storms and protected local properties."
the town is also known for being a stargazing hotspot
with famous astronmer Patrick Moor living there
He was just one of the 10,000 locals who call it home
It is also one of the best places to try crab in the country
with a fresh crab sandwich often served at the pubs and cafes
Otherwise there is the West Sands Fun Fair
which families have raved about for being a bargain
Guests can pay just £15 and go on the rides for free all day
with one saying they went on "no less than 120 rides together"
And the abandoned Selsey Pavillion - an 110-year-old theatre - hopes to reopen again after 50 years as an entertainment venue
The nearest options are Chichester and Bognor Regis
It's relatively secluded location when it comes to public transport keeps the town lesser visited than it's nearby neighbours such as Brighton
If you need somewhere to stay, you can opt for a converted train carriage right on Selsey Beach
Seabank Selsey even has bedrooms in the former first class which overlook the sea
My partner Dan and I were at Cove Holiday Park’s Seal Bay in Selsey with our kids Jessica
but you don’t need to walk everywhere as there is a handy bus service that saves tired legs at the end of the day
We gave the climbing wall and bounce nets a go on the first day
which initially had the kids’ eyes bulging
getting zipped up inside the ball and having air pumped in to inflate them
before tentatively rolling their way towards the swimming pool
Jessica couldn’t contain her giggles as she desperately tried to run across the pool
but Eva and Isabelle were a little more cautious — that is until Eva realised she could manage just as well on all fours
there’s a massive swimming pool back at Seal Bay resort
The action-based activities made sure our kids were conked out in the car on the way back
Or there is the award-winning The Hideout which was named the best staycation location by Sykes Holiday Cottages
And kids will love the Cove Holiday Park which opened a new £1.5million indoor adventure park back in 2023.
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