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Management Plan

Chichester Harbour National Landscape Management Plan (2025-2030) Incorporating the Amenity Area & Harbour

The Management Plan is the single most important document for Chichester Harbour. It sets out an agreed partnership framework for the management of the area. The 28.2 square miles of landscape has a delicate balance of interests, from internationally important habitats and species to a long and proud history of sailing and boat building.

As a protected landscape, there is a duty to prepare a Management Plan for Chichester Harbour National Landscape every 5 years. Although this is a joint statutory requirement of the four neighbouring Local Authorities, of Hampshire County Council, West Sussex County Council, Chichester District Council and Havant Borough Council, Chichester Harbour Conservancy, as the de facto National Landscape Committee, has overseen the preparation of each Plan, which is now in its 4^th Review.

A word from our Chairman…

It is a pleasure to introduce the Chichester Harbour National Landscape Management Plan for 2025-2030 incorporating the Amenity Area & Harbour. This comes at a critical time, with its successful implementation more important than ever.

Natural England’s Condition Review of Chichester Harbour Sites, published in 2021, reinforced what we already knew – we are living through a biodiversity crisis and a climate emergency. I am thankful to the team of researchers that undertook this stark work because only when we understand the true extent of the problem, can we seek solutions. The impacts of climate change, the deteriorating water quality, and the loss of the precious saltmarsh habitat were highlighted as factors for the decline of the natural environment. It also rightly notes the unprecedented level of development pressure and the unequivocal damage that hard sea defences are causing in this natural estuary.

However, I remain heartened and positive about the future since I have witnessed a renewed sense of urgency to tackle nature recovery and to prepare for the impacts of climate change. This gives me great optimism that with the right interventions Chichester Harbour can be restored and protected for the long term.

On the water, as the statutory harbour authority, Chichester Harbour Conservancy continues our commitment to meeting the requirements of the Ports and Marine Facilities Safety Code. This is the framework for operating a safe harbour. Our approach is not so much to be compliant, more to strive for excellence. This way of working has served us well for many years and it will continue to do so.

Chichester Harbour has always been a place where people come to relax, reflect and enjoy the surroundings. Our efforts have one overall purpose – to try and keep it that way no matter whether you are here to sail, boat, walk, live, run a business, visit or otherwise. It is quite rightly a National Landscape, designated and protected for the nation’s benefit.

I would like to thank everyone who is helping to conserve, enhance, and protect Chichester Harbour.