Premier Marinas has applied to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for a 10-year marine licence to resume maintenance dredging at Brighton Marina in southern England. Dredged material would be disposed of at the established marine disposal site off Newhaven.
The operator is targeting a return to dredging in spring 2027, subject to approval. It said sediment building up within the marina entrance and navigational areas is gradually reducing navigable depths and making it more difficult for vessels to enter and leave safely.
No dredging has taken place since the previous 10-year licence was quashed on November 4, 2025. That licence covered disposal at the Rottingdean site, which lies within the Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ).
Sussex Wildlife Trust challenged the licence through judicial review, and the MMO conceded the case. The regulator accepted that it, "did not assess whether the application had avoided, minimised or mitigated those adverse impacts."
The MMO confirmed in June that the new proposal did not require a full environmental impact assessment. Premier then commissioned ABPmer, working jointly with Newhaven Port, to model sediment dispersion across 15 disposal scenarios.
These included simultaneous maximum disposal from both sources. The company said the addition of sediment from Brighton would not result in disposed material interacting with the MCZ.
Sussex Wildlife Trust has said it has not endorsed the Newhaven site, which is adjacent to the MCZ. The trust said its preferred option is a new offshore site well away from the protected area.
Premier expects public consultation to open in late October or early November.
