Residents say they have been locked out of their own seafront for 18 years after access to a popular Sussex beach was blocked by its French-owned owners. West Beach in Newhaven has remained closed since 2008 after its owner, Newhaven Port and Properties (NPP), introduced metal barriers and locked gates, citing public safety concerns. The company is owned by the French department of Seine-Maritime.
Frustration boiled over in recent days when more than 100 people entered the beach after padlocks on the gates were cut, allowing families to swim, paddleboard and enjoy the sand. The beach was quickly closed again and additional security measures were installed. A group of teenagers later climbed over the fencing to reach the beach during the recent heatwave.
The dispute has now reached Westminster, where local Liberal Democrat MP James MacCleary has introduced the West Beach Bill in an effort to restore public access.
“My West Beach Bill is about fairness. It is about standing up for a community that has been shut out of its own seafront for far too long,” he said, adding that the campaign should not be viewed as anti-French.
NPP insists the beach remains unsafe because of unpredictable ferry wash and deteriorating sea defences.
MacCleary said those concerns should not become a permanent reason to deny the public access, arguing the closure has deprived Newhaven of an important part of its heritage.
Dean Elliott, 42, described the situation as “a national disgrace”, adding: “The stretch of sand is no more dangerous than any other in the UK and with a little renovation the steps leading to the beach and the sea wall could easily be improved.”
Sarah Lockyer, 52, from Peacehaven, said: “I think it’s outrageous our coastline can be carved up by a foreign company, which is allowed to take away something that was part of the community.”
The unusual ownership dates back to the late 19th century, when West Beach was created during construction of Newhaven’s western pier, leaving it outside the control of bodies such as the Crown Estate.
Sussex Police are investigating criminal damage to CCTV cameras and gate padlocks following recent incidents. NPP said anyone forcing entry into the restricted area risks serious injury and stressed it has “a duty to put public safety first”.