Havre des Pas coastal flood alleviation scheme

About the consultation

​​​​​​​​​​Between June 2018 and January 2020, the Government of Jersey developed a Shoreline Management Plan (SMP). The aim is to make sure our coastal defences can protect Jersey for the next 100 years. 

The plan looks at risks to:

• our communities
• the environment
• the economy

It reviews the condition of the current coastal defences, and suggests improvements over 3 time periods known as epochs:

1. 2020 to 2040
2. 2040 to 2070
3. 2070 to 2120
   

For each coastline area, called a Coastal Management Unit (CMU), the plan suggests the best way to manage future flood risks.

This project focuses on the Havre des Pas coastline, from La Collette in the west to La Grande Charrière Slipway in the east. This is known as CMU-1.8 in the SMP.

CMU-1.8 has the highest risk of coastal flooding and is the top priority for action.

The SMP recommends:

• 2020 to 2040: Adaptive Management (make changes as needed) and Advance the Line (build new defences further out to sea)
• 2040 to 2120: Maintain the Defence Line (keep the current line of defences)

What the scheme will do

The scheme aims to protect homes and businesses from flooding caused by severe storms. It’s designed to withstand a 1 in 200-year flood event, which means it has a 0.5% chance of happening in any year. 

The scheme also accounts for sea level rise to the year 2130.

Since 2023, the project has been in the engineering feasibility stage. 

During this phase, engineers looked at:

• the flood risk:
  
• wave overtopping
• still water (high tides)
• ​different possible solutions based on:
• feasibility and constructability
• ability to address present day flood risk and future risk
• the pros and cons of each solution
• ​economic assessment for the scheme and business case development

Options we looked at

The full list of long and short-listed options are included in the consultation documents​.

Short-Listed options:

Preferred option

Option 4 is the preferred choice because:

• it gives the best protection against future flooding
• it avoids the need to build very tall walls along the current coastline
• it allows for better public spaces and future adaptability

Building tall walls (about 4 metres high) along the current coast, as would be required for Options 2 and 3 (primary walls only), would be costly and cause major disruption. 

Option 2 also doesn’t allow for future changes if sea levels rise more than expected.

Option 4 would be a large scheme, construction would not be on the immediate existing coastal line and would mean coastal protection remains during construction and works would be away from existing properties along the coast.

Option 4 would move the sea defences up to 20 metres out to sea and allow space for:

• new and improved promenades
• gardens and green space
• cycle path which would be continuous along the scheme and separate from the promenade
• improved beach access​
  

Public meeting dates

​We want to involve Islanders and organisations throughout the project. 

This includes:

• meetings
• workshops
• drop-in sessions
• this public consultation

Workshops were held in June and July 2024, where​ key stakeholders helped shape the early ideas and design options.

Stakeholder engagement report 2024

Public drop-in sessions

You can meet the team, ask questions and find out more information at our 3 drop-in sessions at The Lido, Havre des Pas, St Helier, Jersey JE2 4UQ.​

How to submit comments to the consultation

​We want to hear from you. Your views will help us improve the design and make sure it works for the community which will cont​ribute to the summary report.

You can comment by completing our survey, emailing us or writing to us.

Havr​e des Pas coastal flood alleviation scheme questionnaire

Havre des Pas coastal flood alleviation scheme questionnaire

You can also send your comments:

• by email to coastal@gov.je
  
• by post to Havre des Pas Coastal Flood Consultation, Infrastructure and Environment, Coastal Engineering, La Collette Depot, La Route du Veulle, St Helier, JE2 3NX
  

To join our mailing list to be kept update to date on the project, email us with your contact details.

How we use your data

You can find out how we protect your personal information on the Transport and Highways privacy notice​.

Next steps

After the consultation closes, we will publish the 2025 Public Consultation Report. It will include:

• a summary of feedback
• how comments will influence the next stage of design
• a copy for everyone on the project mailing list