The Manhood Peninsula is a tongue of land that extends into the English Channel south of Chichester, West Sussex, ending at Selsey Bill. To its west lies Chichester Harbour, and to its east is Pagham Harbour. Formerly sometimes called the Selsey Peninsula, its largest town is Selsey, followed by E & W Wittering, Bracklesham, Hunston, Sidlesham and a number of smaller and scattered settlements. The peninsula is low-lying and without sea defences much of it would be subject to coastal flooding and erosion. It is home to roughly 40,000 people.
Formed in July 2007, the Manhood Peninsula Steering Group (MPSG) is a voluntary alliance of local residents, businesses and elected representatives. We aim to ensure that the area is protected where appropriate from coastal erosion & flooding, and support measures to make the area a more attractive place to live, work and visit.
MPSG presses for coastal protection wherever it can be shown to be economically cost effective and in the interests of the local community. Given there is not enough government funding to defend every populated coastline, MPSG researches & promotes alternative funding approaches to deliver coast defences and adaptation/resilience measures.
MPSG also raises awareness of coastal defence issues. For example, did you know that the authorities are not obliged to maintain or build coast defences? Or that there is no compensation if you lose your property because defences have been abandoned?
Locally and nationally, we work to improve understanding of coastal issues and facilitate informed, active, community involvement in responding to the social, economic & environmental challenges faced by coastal communities.
