West Wittering Beach in Sussex has become the subject of new repair plans, aimed at tackling the effects of more than a decade of damage. The West Sussex seafront, which lies around an hour outside of Surrey, has topped lists of the country's most-loved seaside escapes, thanks to its long sandy shore and picturesque mix of wooden beach huts and marram grass. Beneath its idyllic appearance, however, years of "artificial" sand formation through sand traps have left the tourist hotspot in a "poor and unstable condition".

Chichester District Council has now submitted plans for beach management work on its West Strand stretch, including sand removal, fencing, re-contouring the land and the construction of temporary fencing to encourage grass growth. The local authority stated that 6,822 square metres of the beach would be subject to the repair work, which has been designed to align with natural coastal practices, promoting environmental protection and public amenity.

Councillors are planning to begin the repair programme in the spring, when conditions are best for growing marram grass, according to planning documents.

"The proposal seeks to manage the land which covers approximately 6,822 square metres of sandy beach and is in poor condition having become unstable," a pre-application enquiry report said.

"The proposed works address the sand that has accumulated over the past 12 years as a result of the sand traps installed in 2013.

"The removal of the sand traps, followed by the recontouring and repair of the land and the replanting of marram grass, will restore the natural contours of trhe beach and allow the public right of way to become passable again.

"The works will also deliver a safer environment for beach users while enhancing the ecological value of the site for local flora and fauna."

As well as drawing visitors for its picturesque views, West Wittering is a hotspot for water sports enthusiasts, with windsurfing, kitesurfing and stand-up paddleboarding facilities and horse-riding also permitted at certain times of the year.

Among its various accolades was a top spot in Conde Nast Traveller's ranking of UK beaches, where it was praised as popular with holidaymakers "from all over the south coast".

"Low tide brings the promise of shallow lagoons to paddle in and creates a blank canvas for sand-castles," the report read. "There's [also] a grassy patch ideal for picnics behind the beach huts that fringe the beach."