Decision details

This report presents an application for funding under the Council’s Community Fund.

An application for community funding has been received from two representatives of the residents of the ‘Giblet Ore’ stretch of the coastline in Hill Head, for the sum of £4,999, to contribute to the coastal erosion prevention project for this section of the beach.

Over the last thirty years, the accessibility of this 270m stretch of beach running from Giblet Ore in the west to Crofton Lane in the east has gradually declined due to coastal erosion.  The amount of beach available for recreational activities has reduced from 20m to 3m in some conditions which also increases the risk of flooding.

This area of beach is a popular location for recreational activities and is a meeting point for the local open water swimming community. In addition, local schools use the beach for nature study.

Below the mean high water tide, the beach is in the ownership of the Crown Estates.  The area above the mean high water tide has no registered ownership, but the community has had open access to this beach for many years.

Investigation by the Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership (ESCP) into the erosion along the entire Hill Head beach has identified that disrepair of the groynes in this location has made a significant contribution to the erosion. 

The ESCP, who have led the planning and tender for the project on behalf of Fareham Borough Council, have recommended that the replacement of the existing groynes by new, higher structures will collect a greater amount of shingle at high tide, thereby increasing the accessible area of beach.    

The total cost of the project has been identified as £25,191, although this cost may reduce depending on the condition of the existing groynes.  The community and local businesses have raised £19,749.17 plus VAT to date and are confident of being able to cover any minor shortfall through further individual contributions.

Ward Councillors Arthur Mandry and Kay Mandry are both fully supportive of the application. 

1. That the application for £4,999 from Fareham Borough Council’s Community Fund, submitted by a representative of the residents of the Giblet Ore stretch of coastline at Hill Head, for a contribution to the coastal erosion prevention project for this section of beach, be approved.

2. That the award is subject to a specific grant condition that residents will not restrict community access to this stretch of beach for leisure and recreational activities, and as such the beach will be treated as public open space.

3. The £19,749 raised by the residents shall in the first instance be used to fund the works. If the works requires the additional amount from the Community Funding provided by the Council, then the required amount of funding will be awarded to meet the cost of the works, up to a maximum of £4,999. Any additional costs above the grant award will need to be met by the residents.