Latest News

For info on Site 1 plans click here.. 

For info on Site 7a plans click here.. 

01 December - The December edition of SHRA's newsletter Waterlines has been published. Find it on our "Waterlines" page...

24 November - ATS Euromaster Offer for SHRA Members - SHRA members can get a free winter health check plus free complimentary nitrogen tyre inflation at ATS Euromaster Eastbourne, Langney Rise, BN23 7DD.  At ATS Euromaster, you’ll find everything you need to keep your car in peak, roadworthy condition, including services, tyres and checks.

Filling your tyres with nitrogen instead of compressed air means that your tyre pressure will remain at the appropriate threshold for longer because the rate at which nitrogen passes through tyre walls is slower than oxygen. This has several benefits, including improved tyre life and consistent fuel consumption. 

Terms and conditions. The offer is valid from 1 December 2024 until 28 February 2025 - but bookings are accepted now. It is valid only at ATS EUROMASTER EASTBOURNE and may not be used in conjunction with other special offers. Bookings must be made directly over the phone (01323 761971) or in-store quoting SHRA and are subject to availability. Click here for a flyer...  

23 November - Quay Fisheries Fresh Fish Shop Re-opens - Pete, a fisherman at Sovereign Harbour, has taken on the fish shop, Quay Fisheries on the Fishing Quay (find them behind the boatyard and the Harvester). Pete and his wife Lucy have been selling fish for over 14 years from their mobile fish vans at farmers' markets etc. They catch as much as possible from their boat Shannon LI*547, and also use the supplier MCB seafood and fish from other local fishing boats.

They look forward to welcoming you to their Sovereign Harbour shop for a great selection of fresh fish and other fishmonger items.  Their winter opening times are Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1pm to 4pm, and all day Friday, 10am to 4pm. They will be adding a Saturday opening in the new year.

21 November - Beach Work Update from PCDL - The Met Office have issued a Storm Warning and have named this ‘Storm Bert’. This is expected to arrive on Saturday and continue over the weekend into Monday morning. As we are  approaching neap tides and lower water levels, we anticipate some erosion along the frontage in various locations. We are monitoring the situation and will have plant working on Sunday if necessary.
Amber Carr
Project Manager
Pevensey Coastal Defence Ltd

21 November - Premier Announces Sovereign Shines - The excitement of Christmas is upon us, and it's time for our light up competition!

Adorn your boats and homes with Christmas lights galore. They can be anything you want them to be, from bold and daring to small and spangly.  We want as many Sovereign Harbour berth holder boats and residences involved in our competition as possible, with some fantastic prizes to be won!  To enter, complete the online application form at: https://www.eastbournewaterfront.co.uk/sovereign-shines-application-form/  and decorate your home or boat as festively as possible!  Please also send a photograph of your masterpiece with details of your address/pontoon berth number to sovereignshines@eastbournewaterfront.co.uk

Lights will need to be up and registered by 4pm on Friday, 6th December, ready for the festive entertainment and judging. 

Boats registered and seen to be illuminated before Friday, 6th December, will have the chance to receive £10 worth of electricity or move onto a berth with free electricity to help us light up the harbour (terms & conditions apply).

Onshore festive entertainment 6th-8th December
• Live choir performances from Langney Primary School and Eastbourne Rock Choir
• Arrival of Santa and his helpers
• Meet Santa's real reindeer
• Children’s funfair rides
• Face painting and glitter tattoos
• Christmas artisan market
Click here for an information sheet...  

15 November - Harbour WI - The Harbour WI have published its latest newsletter containing a report of their November meeting and details of forthcoming Xmas events. Find it here: www.shra.co.uk/wi/newsletter

14 November - Santa Stoll, Sunday 8th December - SHRA is delighted to be supporting Defiant Sports and helping them to organise this year’s Santa Stroll, which will take place on Sunday the 8th of December.

The dancing warmup will kick off outside Seamoors/Pablos at The Waterfront at 10:30am, and the Santas will start strolling at 11:00am.

Participating in the walk costs £10 for adults and £5 for children. This includes a Santa outfit to wear on the day, which can be picked up from the Defiant Sports Inclusion Hub, Archery Recreation Ground, Willoughby Crescent, BN22 8RA (just off Seaside) between 11am and 4pm on Wednesdays throughout November.

Payment can also be made online via the secure Eequ website: https://eequ.org/experience/11052 

Alternatively, local Santas can pay and pick up their suits at the Sovereign Harbour Community Centre between 10am - 3pm on Saturday the 7th of December.

If you want to wear your own festive outfit, (and don’t forget to dress the dogs up as well), please do.  It’s a marvellous sight watching all the Santas making their way around the harbour on the day, and all proceeds from the sale of the suits are going straight to Defiant Sports to help them continue their great work. A route map is available here... 

11 November - Smyths Toys Illuminated Sign Application Decided - EBC has conditionally approved the application. Click here for the decision notice...  The Planning Officer’s report on EBC's planning portal states: “To ensure the visual amenity of the wider area that surrounds the commercial units of The Crumbles, the side fascia sign will be conditioned to be non-illuminated so as to not be invasive on views.”  The sign seems to be allowed, but it is not to be illuminated. The case files are on the planning portal here: https://www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/article/2087/?RefType=APPPlanCase&KeyText=240419

01 November - Site 7a Retirement Living Apartments - Mccarthy Stone have submitted a Site Non-Material Amendment application for changes to window/door locations and removal of top floor cladding and change to brick in relation to planning permission 220850 granted on 22/08/24 for their block of retirement living apartments. The documents are on the EBC planning website, but I couldn't determine exactly what is changing. Here's the link if you want to take a look or comment... https://www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/article/2087/?RefType=APPPlanCase&KeyText=240609

29 October - SHRA's Response to EBC on Martello Tower Planning Application -  Since the plans to convert Tower 64 & 66 into residential accommodation were announced (see 4th Oct below), SHRA has been listening to and speaking with members and residents affected.  We have received positive feedback about the proposed plans as they would ensure these historic buildings are restored and saved from further deterioration. We have also heard from residents living near the Towers about several issues of concern that the development of the Towers as residential holiday accommodation will create. We have raised those concerns in a letter to EBC's planning officers. Click here to read the letter... 

29 October - - The Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme - Phase 1 Consultation.  This Environment Agency scheme aims to increase the resilience of homes, businesses and infrastructure between Cooden Beach and Holywell to coastal flooding and erosion over the next 100 years.

The EA have published updated plans to protect Pevensey and Eastbourne from flooding. They estimate some 30,000 cubic square metres of sand and shingle are swept eastwards from Holywell to Cooden Beach every year.  Shifting sands in huge dumper trucks back the other way is a key plank of phase one of proposals to protect 18,000 homes and businesses, transport links and other services.  With the sand and shingle back in place, the sea will lose power as it hits the beach.  View the plans and provide your feedback by clicking here...

08 October - Under New Management! Community Centre handed over - On 1 October 2024, Eastbourne Borough Council handed the lease of the Sovereign Harbour Community Centre (SHCC) to a newly-formed community-based charity, the Sovereign Harbour Community Association (SHCA).

SHCA is a non-profit, Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) set up to deliver an environment, service, and safe space for the community to come together for companionship, support, well-being and enjoyment.

A new SHCC website (link above) has been created, with a Facebook page to follow. In the coming months, the SHCA will organise and host events and activities to welcome everyone to the centre and help launch the now community-managed facility. 

05 October - Photographic Reports for Martello Towers 64 & 66. These photographic reports form part of the planning application listed below and show the amazing internal structure of the towers and its current state.
Martello Tower 64 Photos 
Martello Tower 66 Photos 
Note that these are reduced quality copies of the original versions availabe on the EBC website. 

04 October - Plans for Martello Towers 64 (North Harbour Beach) & 66 (Langney Point). Planning applications have been submitted to convert each Martello Tower into a residential holiday home.  The detailed plans can be viewed on the EBC planning portal where your comments should be made using the following links:
Tower 64 - EBC Application no. 240562 
Tower 66 - EBC Application no. 240560
Comments to EBC need to be received by Thursday 31 October (amended from previously stated  by EBC as being 26 Oct).  Note that there are separate (seemingly duplicate) applications dealing with Listed Building Consent.
For ease of reference we have placed copies of the Design and Access Statements (DAS) on the SHRA website:
Martello Tower 64 DAS 
Martello Tower 66 DAS
These statements should be read in conjunction with the detailed plans from the EBC portal.
Please share your comments on these plans with SHRA by emailing them to: info@shra.co.uk

Over time, some of these news items will migrate from here to the News Archive page or other relevant page of the SHRA website.