We are examining the transfer and long-term control of Southwick Beach, including the public-interest case, access protections, decision-making and the financial assumptions behind the deal.
The transfer was presented as a £550,000 transaction. The council case also referred to removing roughly £4 million of future cost exposure. WATCH is testing those figures, the conditions attached to the transfer and what protection remains for public access.
Who authorised the final terms? How was value for money assessed? What continuing rights and obligations apply to the beach? What evidence supports the claimed future-cost saving?
An Environmental Information Regulations request was sent on 27 August 2026. The case remains open while the requested records are awaited.
No adverse conclusion is being drawn while records are outstanding. Relevant public bodies and organisations will be offered an opportunity to respond before substantive findings are published.
OPEN CASE — Investigation registered and evidence gathering under way.
REQUEST / REVIEW — Relevant public records, information requests and responses are logged as received.
FINDINGS — No final finding will be presented until the available evidence supports it.
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