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  "path": "/news/sussex-news-newhaven-west-beach-reopen-plans",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-07T07:59:35.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Sixteen people fall ill after outbreak of contagious disease at lamb feeding",
    "Neighbour from hell destroys homeowner's wisteria before hitting her with a crutch",
    "Luton businessman collects prestigious King’s Award in a skip",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nA stunning beach closed to visitors for nearly 18 years is set to reopen thanks to campaigning efforts from the local MP.\n\nNewhaven West Beach in Sussex, owned by French firm Newhaven Port and Properties, was shut to the public in 2008 on grounds of health and safety risks.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe company has maintained the eroded walls along the sandy stretch are \"too dangerous\" for visitors to access.\n\nNow, a parliamentary bill has been launched to compel the owners to reopen the beach gates for residents and holidaymakers once again.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe West Beach Bill would establish a legal right of access to reinstate the once thriving stretch of sand.\n\nShould the legislation pass, it would not merely force the beach to reopen, but also mandate the provision of safe pedestrian routes to access.\n\nThe bill was launched after constituents had voiced concern over being barred from their own coastline.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nWhile safety considerations and harbour operations have been raised, critics have said they cannot serve as justification for blocking access to a cherished public space.\n\nNewhaven West Beach was once an iconic, bustling beauty spot, attracting visitors from far and wide.\n\nThe coastline features on a postcard dated to 1982, depicting huge crowds both littering the sandy beach, and sunbathing along the sea wall.\n\nThe push to reopen West Beach forms part of wider ambitions to restore the town's appeal as a coastal destination.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:\n\n\n\n\n  * Sixteen people fall ill after outbreak of contagious disease at lamb feeding\n  * Neighbour from hell destroys homeowner's wisteria before hitting her with a crutch\n  * Luton businessman collects prestigious King’s Award in a skip\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nNewhaven Fort welcomed visitors again last year, following a £7.5million renovation introducing an escape room and adventure playground to the historic site.\n\nFurther developments are in the pipeline for the seafront, with plans for a splash park, children's play area, restaurant and outdoor gym.\n\nThe port town also offers ferry connections to Dieppe, with crossings taking approximately four hours.\n\nThe UK’s biggest waterpark also nearly opened in Newhaven, although these plans were scrapped in 2012.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Iconic British beach could REOPEN after being closed for two decades"
}