Proposed ‘Save Milford Beach’ campaign calls for better sea defences at Hordle Cliff to slow coastal erosion

A project which could slow beach erosion and save Milford’s remaining beach huts from destruction will need a significant cash injection from local businesses and individuals to succeed.

The scheme would involve installing hundreds of boulders along a section of existing sea wall at Hordle Cliff, and may see the beach recharged and the eroding cliff stablilised.

Introducing the ‘business case for saving Milford Beach’, longtime Milford resident and managing editor of yachtsandyachting.com, Mark Jardine, said he felt the current New Forest District Council “do nothing” policy for managing erosion at Hordle Cliff was flawed.

Mark said: ”The ground rent for more beach huts will be lost. This is an annual income for the council where less beach huts equals less income.

“Milford beach now only has one set of steps left adjacent to a car park. If this is lost, visitors will simply go elsewhere. The revenue lost to the council through car parking alone will be significant.”

He continued: “Tourism will suffer. All those staying at hotels, B&Bs, and Shorefield Park are attracted in part by Milford beach, which is packed during the summer months.”

As reported, in January, at least a dozen beach huts at the eastern end of Hordle Cliff were destroyed as a result of huge waves and flooding caused by storms Herminia and Eowyn.

Explaining his proposal, Mark said the installation of boulders at the eastern section of Hordle Cliff would dissipate wave energy and protect the seawall and the shingle beach behind.

”Various sea defences have been added either side of Milford beach over the years, including the boulders at Barton, which extends the beach out and acts in itself like a massive groyne, and the concrete wall, reinforced with steel, between Hordle Cliff and the White House.

“This has had boulders added along much of its length, which has ‘held the line’ as well as dissipating wave energy.”

NFDC currently has a budget of around £400,000 to manage and maintain coastal defences between Barton and Calshot so it is highly unlikely funding will be forthcoming for a scheme to defend Milford beach.

However, the council is receptive to the idea. A spokesperson told the A&T: “We are fully supportive of contributions to be used to support the delivery of flood and coastal erosion risk management activities.

“Back in 2011, the national funding mechanism for allocating funding to support such projects was changed to a partnership funding approach, the aim being to share costs between national and local sources of funding.

“In instances where a coast protection scheme cannot be fully funded through grant aid, there will be a need to raise additional funding from partners through contributions to meet the funding gap. Partners may be local communities, businesses, developers, and local councils, as well as many others.”

Mark said: ”I realise that budgets are extremely tight, so I’m going to put forward the business case as to why intervention is essential.”

Under the proposal – a ‘Save Milford Beach’ group would be formed to look at funding options for the project. Mark continued: “I know it wouldn’t be cheap – my educated guess would be around £250,000 to carry out the work – but the alternative is far more costly.”

Businesses, locals and beach hut owners could sponsor the cost of a boulder, and with 250 pledges the project could be funded. Mark said: “I know there are many local businesses with an interest in tourism that would support this.”

He continued: “I would love to know the cost of putting in a single boulder because then we could approach local businesses. If a boulder costs, say, £1,000, I think many of the beach hut owners would think that is an investment if you can save a £25,000 beach hut.”

“If there is a shortfall in NFDC funding, then it is time for local businesses and benefactors to step in to help. After all, it’s in all our interests and we’ll deeply regret doing nothing.”

Those interested in forming a group should email savemilfordbeach@gmail.com