CoastView - Saltdean

Before the First World War, open downland stretched all the way between Rottingdean and Newhaven, with only a very few houses. At Saltdean Bay there was quite a wide sand and shingle beach, but it was rarely visited. All this changed, when Charles Neville, a property developer, bought the land and started to create huge estates, mainly of bungalows, at Saltdean, Telscombe and Peacehaven.

saltedean_1920s.jpg
Saltdean viewed from the west in the early 1920s. No sea defences existed at this time, apart from a few groynes. The Coastguard Cottages were built in 1834. At that time there may have been easy access to the beach, but continuing erosion by the sea created a low cliff.
Saltdean in about 1929 or 1930. Charles Neville is said to have acquired the ornamental columns lining the cliff top from the 1924 Empire Exhibition at Wembley. Steps have been built to allow easy access to the beach, and a rudimentary seawall helps limit erosion at the foot of the cliffs. Apart from the Coastguard Cottages all the other buildings are newly constructed.
During the 1930s Saltdean became a sprawling seaside resort. This photograph was taken in about 1938.
Rough seas at Saltdean in the 1950s. The beach is too narrow to stop breakers from pounding against the sea wall, sending clouds of spray over the seafront café and the coast road behind.
Move the mouse over the image to see a modern overlay.
The coastline today is highly engineered. The beach in the foreground was artificially recharged in the late 1990s and is now much wider than it has been for at least 80 years. Storm waves are now largely prevented from reaching the sea wall (Picture taken at about mid-tide level). Beyond the boulder groyne there is no protective beach (even below the water) in front of the seawall.