Save SOBO Beach campaign update · Thursday 22 October 2026
More time secured,but our work continues.
BCP Council has extended the procurement standstill until Monday 2 November.
This is welcome progress and gives everyone more time to address the concerns surrounding the proposed twenty-year Southbourne lease.
Standstill extended to
Mon 2 Nov
Earliest signing date
15 Nov
The official procurement notice now identifies 15 November as the earliest date the long-term agreement could be signed.
Whilst we welcome this extension, it does not yet guarantee that the independent review will be completed and its findings considered before the Council enters into a binding twenty-year agreement.
Why we still need more time
We’re working to ensure that:
An extraordinary Full Council meeting can be convened to consider the outstanding concerns.
At least 25% of councillors support the constitutional route needed to bring forward our proposed resolution.
The substantive questions we’ve raised about consultation, tender design, evaluation and financial due diligence receive properly evidenced answers.
The independent review already agreed by Full Council is comprehensive, transparent and able to inform any remaining decisions.
We’re making encouraging progress in discussions with councillors across political groups.
Our campaign remains non-partisan, and we’re grateful to every councillor who has expressed support, both publicly and privately.
This is about the future of SOBO Beach and ensuring that decisions affecting our coastline are made properly, fairly and transparently.
More than 10,800 people stood together to save SOBO Beach
Please keep contacting your councillors.
The Council has offered another eleven months and agreed to independent scrutiny, we welcome those steps but the council has not gone far enough and the long-term future of SOBO Beach remains unresolved.
We’re asking councillors to support the appropriate lawful safeguards so that a comprehensive independent review can take place and its material findings be considered before any binding long-term agreement is signed.
We’ve prepared an email you can personalise and send directly to your local ward councillors.
✉️ Email your councillor todayPlease share this campaign with friends, neighbours and anyone who wants to see SOBO Beach’s future properly safeguarded.
We’ve secured more time, let’s make sure that time counts.
Thank you for standing with SOBO Beach ❤️
Save SOBO Beach
Take action today
Email your ward councillors in two minutes, and join the Facebook group for campaign news first.
Press and media enquiries: hello@savesobo.com · Contact form