DCF eNews March 2022
Posted : March 15, 2022

Welcome to Dorset Coast Forum’s March eNews update. If you have an article to share, or wish to unsubscribe, please email dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.

Find us on Twitter at @Dorset_CF and Facebook @DorsetCoastForum and find out more about our projects at www.dorsetcoast.com and www.dorsetcoasthaveyoursay.co.uk

We are delighted to welcome Sara Parker who joined the team at the beginning of March as a DCF Project Officer. Sara has a wealth of experience in community engagement and partnership working and we are pleased for her to be part of the team. Sara will be focussing on DCF’s core work and projects and has lots to get her teeth into already including leading on FCERM coastal defence engagement projects and reviewing the DCF Comms strategy.

Sara Parker, new DCF Project Officer

Weymouth Station Gateway  works on the main pedestrian forecourt continues to take shape with new curved planted areas and paving being laid. Pedestrian walkways and the public vehicle transit route are also being constructed. Improvements also include:

• The existing large Portland Stone ‘h’ sculpture located in the former central roundabout will be moving to a new home. Discussions are taking place with Weymouth Town Council to relocate and install at a new location close by.

• Electrical work is starting to take place with new lighting columns and market trader power points being installed. This will enable small scale concessions to be sited and facilitates a seasonal Christmas tree, new upgraded CCTV hardware and Real Time Passenger Information display.
• Works will now take place during March in the section of redundant rail track between King Street and the Jubilee Retail Park, known as pocket park, where this area will be transformed into an attractive cycle and pedestrian link.
• Design consultants, Smith and Jones, have been appointed to work with our partners to produce a range of colourful, contemporary and creative interpretation designs for the station forecourt, pocket park and an area by Cosens Quay where the tram lines have been retained. Designs will be shared on the website (see link above) when they are developed.

Look out for updates on Weymouth Station Gateway weekly blog.

Funding from the Environment Agency 3C’s scheme for the Studland Bay 3Cs Partnership Project comes to an end on 31st March 2022. This week the group are meeting to review where we have got to so far in terms of a draft eco-moorings plan, draft strategy and future governance options. The partners involved in this project (including conservationists, boat users and other stakeholders) have dedicated a great deal of time and effort into this project, and all aiming to reach a solution for sustainable recreational boat use in Studland Bay. Hence the group are looking forward to sharing their ideas and gaining feedback from the general public later this year, before progressing forward with the project.

FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT WORK 

• The work to develop the concept for the English Aquaculture Innovation Hub is drawing to a conclusion. Both Hatch Innovation Services and New Economics Foundation have finalised their reports and Martin is working to develop a list of recommendations to move this important project through to the second phase of work. A dissemination event is being planned for later in the Spring, so watch this space for more details.
• The UK Seafood fund has been delayed until the end of March. This £75 million fund was announced from Defra just after Christmas and aims to support infrastructure across the seafood supply chain and training for the industry. Martin is working with local partners to develop projects for submission to the fund.

• Martin is continuing to work with partners across the South West on a far-reaching project which aims to help de-carbonise the fishing fleet. The picture is very complicated and will likely need multiple solutions to ensure that fishermen and their vessels aren’t impacted by the drive towards Net Zero. The project is looking for use cases from fishing vessels across the South West to help provide a better understanding of how a switch away from fossil fuels could be achieve in the fishing fleet across the UK. So, if you, or any of your contacts would like to know more or have a fishing vessel that could be part of the study, please contact Martin directly via e-mail at martin.sutcliffe@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

WEYMOUTH BRIC

• Good news that we have 5 Melcombe Regis flood wardens signed up so far. We are working with ‘Communities Prepared’ to organise training sessions for the wardens which will provide them with the tools and guidance required.
• Dan will be going to France this month for the BRIC partners meeting and a seminar titled ‘Citizen Involvement in Flood Resilience’. This seminar on the 22 March will be a great opportunity for stakeholders to learn more about the best ways to engage communities in resilience and flood risk management. You are welcome to register before 17th March for this event which will be both in person and online:  Citizen involvement in flood resilience | Cerema

• We are developing practical solutions to help the community, including the implementation of a community sandbag store in the Park District and the creation of householder guides covering how best to prepare and protect from flooding.

For more information, please contact dan.williams@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or visit Weymouth BRIC – Dorset Coast Forum

SUSTAINABLE SWANAGE

• Business Forum Launch Event – 23 March 5pm, The Grand Hotel, Swanage . Sustainable Swanage announced the details of the launch event for our Business Forum and how it can help small businesses in Swanage and surrounding area.  A practical path to net zero for SME’s is a free event hosted by the Sustainable Swanage Business Forum, Swanage Chamber of Commerce and Planet Purbeck. Contact sustainable.swanage.biz.forum@gmail.com to register.
• Our new Purbeck Repair group, are holding their first event on Saturday 9th April in Swanage, titled ‘Don’t ditch it: stitch it or swap it’, during the event we will be hosting a clothes swap event and visitors will have the opportunity to learn how to hand sew repairs, adjustments and upcycle clothes. This is the first of many planned events where we hope to be able to offer more skilled repairs depending on volunteers. If you are keen to get involved and have skills in repairing items, please get in touch.
• Don’t forget we are at Swanage market on the first Friday morning of every month with information, useful items to help you reduce waste and are open to hear your ideas, comments and suggestions for all things sustainable – come and visit us!

See the full DCF eNews for March 2022 HERE

Main image: Parish boundary marker between Swyre and Puncknowle, part of the West Dorset Walkers Welcome parish boundaries. Find out more at website (photo: Pete Millson).