There are plans to extend a beach to protect residents and businesses from flooding and erosion.

A planning application to build a new groyne field on the beach in Hove, between the King Alfred Leisure Centre and Second Avenue, was submitted on Friday.

Brighton and Hove relies on its beaches to protect it from flooding and erosion.

Without action, damage to homes and businesses is likely and the safety of residents and visitors could be at risk.

The plans would see the beach extended by approximately 25 metres out to sea.

Read more: Map shows parts of Sussex that could be lost to the sea by 2030

If approved, the new timber groynes would be supported by filling the bays between each groyne with thousands of tonnes of shingle, taken from a licensed dredging site in the English Channel.

The field would help slow the movement of shingle along that part of the coastline, helping to protect the area from flooding and erosion.

The Argus:

The visualisation above shows how much wider the beach would be.

The groyne field would also reduce the amount of shingle which washes up onto the promenade during storms and high tides.

Work would start in 2025 and would finish in summer 2026.

Work has already been done to build two rock armour revetments, a protective layer of rock, adjacent to Basin Road South. A new sea wall has also been built near the Hove Deep Sea Anglers Club.

Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for transport, parking and public realm, said: “This project is vital in helping to protect the city from the long-term risks of flooding and coastal erosion.

“The impact of climate change means we need to act against rising sea levels to protect homes and businesses. The new groyne field and wider beach will help to do that and significantly reduce the amount of shingle that washes up onto the promenade every year.

“This will mean a more accessible prom and a larger beach for our residents and visitors.”

Read next: Life inside town that could be under water by 2030

The work is part of a long-term project called the Brighton Marina to River Adur Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Scheme.

Working in partnership with Adur District Council, Shoreham Port, the Environment Agency and the Western Esplanade Management Company, its aim is to improve our coastal defences along a 10km stretch between Brighton Marina and the River Adur.

It is primarily funded by the Environment Agency, however all the partners have an interest in maintaining the frontage, and so are also paying a proportional amount for their respective frontage.

Climate change has caused our sea levels to rise and an increase in tidal surges and stormy weather conditions.