Manhood Peninsula Partnership

The Manhood Peninsula Partnership (MPP) is a strategic group established to coordinate and facilitate action which safeguards the interests of the community and maximises the area’s potential in the future; primarily issues such as climate change, coastal management and development pressures.

The Partnership was formed following concerns raised among local residents about the need for greater co-ordination between the bodies and organisations responsible for management of the peninsula, to help better address present and future environmental, social and economic challenges.

We operate in a rapidly changing policy arena, with policy directives and guidance being issued at European, national and regional level to inform and shape local policy and action on coastal change, water management, climate change, renewable energy and development to name a few.

The MPP recognises the need to integrate local actions with top down frameworks, but is sensitive to local needs, thus it aims to continue its important role in ensuring dialogue and co-operation on these issues. The MPP continues to learn from and influence others, facilitating wider community awareness and participation in decision-making, developing enabling policy and implementing plans, and supporting practical projects and research.

Our first professional workshop ‘Going Dutch on the Manhood Peninsula’ took place in March 2001. This comprised 18 Dutch and 10 British experts in international planning, infrastructure and environmental management who, together with local representatives, explored ideas and options for a sustainable, integrated planning approach for the future of the Manhood Peninsula.

Between 2004 and 2007 the MPP benefited from being part of the European funded ESPACE project, which looks at adapting to climate change.

June 2008 saw a reprise of the highly successful “Going Dutch” format. The “Going Dutch II” workshop involved 22 Dutch and British coastal spatial planners, engineers and environmentalists specifically to review the Environment Agency and Local Authorities’ draft Coastal Defence Strategy, and to examine other options put forward by local residents.

We continue to work with the Environment Agency and its partners on the implementation of the Coastal Defence Strategy as the proposals for the managed realignment of the coastline at Medmerry, in particular, are progressed. Community knowledge, awareness and involvement in the development of land use surrounding Medmerry are crucial to ensuring that the implications of this important project are fully understood, that communities are properly protected and that opportunities are not missed.

See our section on Coastal Management or follow the link to Flood Information
For further informationon the Pagham to East Head Coastal Defence Strategy follow this link

Defra’s science magazine ‘Elements’ explores many issues of importance to the MPP such as climate change and biodiversity. Follow the link to see what ‘Elements’ has to offer.