TQ 6401
Although erosion does take place in the area of Sovereign Harbour, as is shown by the complete disappearance of Martello Tower 65 from near the present-day outer arm on the northern side of the harbour mouth, the Crumbles has long been generally an area of coastal deposition. The deposition of beach material is in the form of a massive bank of shingle that extended from what is now Sovereign Harbour to the area of Seaside at Sea Houses approaching Eastbourne Pier. The area became extensively quarried by a series of gravel pits and was served by a tramway or branch line that connected to sidings at Eastbourne Railway Station. The decline of the branch line began in 1920 when the ballast used on railways changed to granite chippings. Although the line had other purposes, such as transferring thousands of coal to the gasworks, the line closed in 1966 and was lifted by the time of the 1975 OS map. With the quarrying of shingle a thing of the past, the area reverted to a place of nature where plant species adapted to the tough growing conditions thrived.
The concept of a new future for the Crumbles arose from a gift of land from private ownership and Ministry of Defence use, and this raised the possibility that a new urbanisation, built around a harbour, might take place. To that end, in 1967, a harbour village was incorporated into the Eastbourne urban plan. A number of major difficulties arose, including a challenge from conservationists about how such a radical change of land use would irredeemably change the place forever and to the detriment of the existing flora and fauna. In the face of such local opposition to the scheme, the Eastbourne Harbour Bill was blocked in Parliament. By the time a revised Harbour Bill was finally approved in 1980, rising costs resulted in the scheme being shelved for the time being. In 1990, however, housing development started in Atlantic Drive, and in 1991, digging out and dredging of the inner and outer harbours began, with the harbour and the marina becoming operational in 1993. Since that time, year by year developments have added further infrastructure and amenities to the development to such an extent that it has become the largest composite marina in northern Europe. Although Sovereign Harbour is a modern urbanisation with an Eastbourne address, its harbour setting lends it a different identity and atmosphere which distinguishes it from older parts of the town where Victorian buildings impart a more established air. The individual character of Sovereign Harbour is partly created by the watery nature of the environment and the large number of yachts and nautical features such as the Harbourmaster’s Office, chandler shops and the lifeboat station. The quaysides, and particularly the Waterfront, are often bustling, crowded places that are vibrant with people visiting restaurants, shops or simply walking round the harbours that are separated by locks, bridges and walkways. Despite the nautical and urban character of Sovereign Harbour, a fragment of the Crumbles shingle bank still remains with its covering of grasses and specially adapted plants like yellow horned poppies, red valerian and wild carrot, with wildlife represented by fish in the harbour, seabirds overhead and occasional visits by seals; an information board details the many species either living in or visiting Sovereign Harbour.
Although Sovereign Harbour is not a natural harbour, the development there may be judged by the fact that it has become the largest composite harbour in northern Europe. The most recent development there concerns two of the Martello Towers, numbers 64 and 66, that lie on either side of the artificially created harbour entrance dating from 1993. Although both applications to convert them into holiday lets received over 50 objections each, the development plan for Number 66 was approved, while the decision on Number 64 was deferred because of “a procedural matter”. No work has yet begun, and readers will have their own view as to whether the conversion of historic Martello Tower 66, a Grade-II listed scheduled monument, is desirable, but it is certain that the living conditions for the wealthy holiday guests will be a luxurious upgrade on those experienced by the soldiers garrisoned there during Napoleonic times.
Andrew Diack, BA (Hons)
TQ6401 : Martello Tower Number 66, Langney Point, Eastbourne, East SussexTQ6401 : The outer arm of Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne, East SussexTQ6401 : Replica Nao Victoria moored at Sovereign Harbour, EastbourneTQ6401 : Thronged quayside at Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne, East SussexTQ6401 : Harbours and bridges, Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne, East Sussex
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TQ 643 017 [100m precision]
