Hurst Spit to Lymington Strategy CP September 2026
Summary
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A draft 100-year coastal strategy for the Hurst Spit to Lymington area sets out how communities, wildlife, heritage, recreation, tourism, and businesses can adapt to climate change and sea level rise. It highlights risks if no action is taken, including increased flooding, erosion of historic landfill, loss of public rights of way, damage to heritage and archaeology, loss of internationally important habitats, and greater vulnerability of Hurst Spit. The area is divided into management units and assessed through “adaptation pathways,” allowing actions to change over time as conditions evolve. High-level options include restoring saltmarsh, improving property flood resilience, and ongoing beach management, alongside choices such as holding the line with strengthened defences or managed realignment. Implementation is estimated to cost about £412 million over 100 years, and public engagement is invited through events and the project website.
Document Viewer
Rhian Edwards
The Draft Strategy
A sustainable future for Hurst Spit to Lymington area for the next 100 years:
Enabling communities, the environment, wildlife, heritage, recreation, tourism and business to adapt to climate change and sea level rise
Challenges
- Erosion of historic landfill
- Sea Level Rise
- Loss of public rights of way
- Impacts to heritage and archaeology
- Increased flood risk
- Loss of internationally important habitats
- Increased vulnerability of Hurst Spit
What happens if we do nothing?
Cara add animation
Management Unit Map
High level options
Restoring saltmarsh – Property Flood Resilience – Beach Management
What are adaptation pathways?
Strategy 2075 | Videos & Movies on Vimeo
Strategy Implementation
High level total cost £412 million over 100 years
Public Engagement – remaining events
Please email hurstspit2lymington@environment-agency.gov.uk to register for webinar
Key messages
- The only constant is change…..
- Change is happening regardless
- Aims to balance protecting people, property and the environment
- A flexible long-term approach will be used
- Working with nature is a key part of the proposals
- Trade-offs and impacts are inevitable
- Funding and investment is key!
Further information and detail on website
hurstspit2lymington@environment-agency.gov.uk