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BCP Cliff Management Guide

BCP Cliff Management Guide

BCP Cliff Management Guide

South West Flood and Coastal (hosted by BCP Council) are working to develop a Cliff Management Strategy for the coastal frontage from Chewton Bunny (Highcliffe) to Rockley (in Poole Harbour).

Project updates

Project overview

South West Flood and Coastal (hosted by BCP Council) are working to develop a Cliff Management Strategy for the coastal frontage from Chewton Bunny (Highcliffe) to Rockley (in Poole Harbour).

A key part of this wider strategy will be the creation of a Cliff Management Guide. The guide created will explain the various roles and responsibilities of those who live, work and enjoy the cliffs in the local area, explain what to do in the case of a landslide or cliff instability and inform the community on steps to mitigate erosion of the cliffs.

In the first instance we are asking local stakeholders, landowners, householders, residents and members of the community to get involved and tell us about your understanding of coastal erosion risk and instability along the BCP Coast.

Find out more about the project and get involved here >> BCP Cliff Management Guide

#CoastalInnovation #CoastalConnection

Who’s listening?

Elaine Snow

Elaine Snow

Dorset Coast Forum Project Officer

BCP Cliff Management Guide

Click for more information and to get involved
Chesil Cove Curved Seawall

Chesil Cove Curved Seawall

Chesil Cove Curved Seawall

    Dorset Council, working in collaboration with partners, are developing a proposal for the repair and update of Chesil Cove Curved Seawall.

    Project overview

    Chesil Cove is a curved bank forming the end of Chesil Beach. The Chesil Cove curved seawall was built in 1965 as a means to protect the toe of the steep bank known as West Weares. It was designed to deflect waves and prevent major slumping of the land above which previously had experienced ground slippage. Under the direction of the Shoreline Management Plan(External link), Chesil Cove comes under the “hold the line” approach meaning defences should be maintained or replaced where they already exist.

    The beach at Chesil Cove is popular with families who favour the shallow waters, divers who explore the many shipwrecks in the area and also with walkers who make use of the promenade above the wall. There are also many beach huts up above, dotted on the slope.

    There is consistent heavy wave attack along this area of coast but the wall also sustains damage from the following:

    • Coastal erosion
    • Beach loss
    • Foreshore lowering
    • Structure undermining

    Some repairs were undertaken on the wall in 2011 but these have now been undermined and the sea is causing rotational movement at the southern end, threatening it further.

    If no action was taken at the site and the ground started to slump again, the main A354 road would be at risk as well as coastal paths, homes, chalets and utilities. Various studies have taken place to identify that urgent action is needed.

     

    Visit the project page for more information >> Chesil Cove Curved Seawall 

    Who’s listening?

    Elaine Snow

    Elaine Snow

    Project Officer, Dorset Coast Forum

    Chesil Cove Curved Seawall

    Click for more information and to get involved

    Future Coast Charmouth

    Future Coast Charmouth

    Future Coast Charmouth – part of the Coastal transition accelerator programme

    Charmouth and North Swanage have been selected for funding through the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme CTAP(External link), supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and funded by the Environment Agency (EA)

    Project Updates

    Project overview

    The Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme (CTAP) helps communities to plan for the long term, including through interventions such as improving and replacing damaged community infrastructure like beach access or coastal transport links, repurposing land in coastal erosion zones for different uses such as temporary car parks, and restoring and creating habitats to include green buffer zones.

    Why now and why do we need to do something different?

    England has some of the fastest eroding coastline in Europe. Coastal erosion is a natural, ongoing process that has been happening for thousands of years. But with sea levels continuing to rise into the next century, the rate of coastal erosion in some places will accelerate.

    For some coastal locations it will unfortunately no longer be technically or economically feasible to provide protection from flooding and coastal change.

    As the risks of erosion increase and accelerate with climate change, we need to explore now how local authorities can work with and support people living, working and using coastal areas that cannot sustainably be defended in the long term.

    The CTAP aims to:

        • Accelerate strategic planning (and associated action planning) to set out how the coastal local authorities, partners and communities will address the long-term transition of communities, businesses and assets away from the coastline at risk.
        • Support the trialling of early on the ground innovative actions in support of medium and long term plans, that enable those coastal areas at significant risk to address the challenges posed by a changing climate.

    The programme will run to March 2027, exploring and testing innovative opportunities. A full evaluation of the programme will help to inform future national policy direction and will add to the other coastal resilience activity managed by the Environment Agency, which includes a national coastal erosion risk map providing clearer data about local risks to help local planning.

    The Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme supports the Environment Agency’s FCERM Strategy, which provides a longer-term vision of how we will better protect and prepare homes and businesses from flooding and coastal change and create climate resilient places.

    Find out more by visiting the Charmouth CTAP project page  >> Future Coast Charmouth

    #CoastalConnection  #CoastalInno

    Who’s listening?

    Matthew Smith

    Matthew Smith

    Dorset Coast Forum Project Officer

    Find out more about Future Coast Charmouth

    Click for more information and to get involved

    Future Coast North Swanage

    Future Coast North Swanage

    Future Coast North Swanage – part of the Coastal transition accelerator programme   

    North Swanage and Charmouth have been selected for funding through the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme CTAP(External link), supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and funded by the Environment Agency (EA)

    Project updates

    Project overview

    The Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme (CTAP) helps communities to plan for the long term, including through interventions such as improving and replacing damaged community infrastructure like beach access or coastal transport links, repurposing land in coastal erosion zones for different uses such as temporary car parks, and restoring and creating habitats to include green buffer zones.

    Why now and why do we need to do something different?

    England has some of the fastest eroding coastline in Europe. Coastal erosion is a natural, ongoing process that has been happening for thousands of years. But with sea levels continuing to rise into the next century, the rate of coastal erosion in some places will accelerate.

    For some coastal locations it will unfortunately no longer be technically or economically feasible to provide protection from flooding and coastal change.

    As the risks of erosion increase and accelerate with climate change, we need to explore now how local authorities can work with and support people living, working and using coastal areas that cannot sustainably be defended in the long term.

    The CTAP aims to:

    • Accelerate strategic planning (and associated action planning) to set out how the coastal local authorities, partners and communities will address the long-term transition of communities, businesses and assets away from the coastline at risk.
    • Support the trialling of early on the ground innovative actions in support of medium and long term plans, that enable those coastal areas at significant risk to address the challenges posed by a changing climate.

    The programme will run to March 2027, exploring and testing innovative opportunities. A full evaluation of the programme will help to inform future national policy direction and will add to the other coastal resilience activity managed by the Environment Agency, which includes a national coastal erosion risk map providing clearer data about local risks to help local planning.

    The Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme supports the Environment Agency’s FCERM Strategy, which provides a longer-term vision of how we will better protect and prepare homes and businesses from flooding and coastal change and create climate resilient places.

    Find out more information about this project at  >> Future Coast North Swanage

    #CoastalConnection  #CoastalInnovation 

    Who’s listening?

    Sara Parker

    Sara Parker

    Dorset Coast Forum Project Officer

    sara.parker@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
    Tel. 01305 224728, Mobile: 07780 148790

    Find out more about Future Coast North Swanage

    Click for more information and to get involved

    Swanage Green Seafront Stabilisation and Shore Road Enhancement Scheme

    Swanage Green Seafront Stabilisation and Shore Road Enhancement Scheme

    Swanage Green Seafront Stabilisation and Shore Road Enhancement Scheme

    The Swanage Green Seafront Stabilisation and Enhancement Project, including Sandpit Field, Weather Station Field and the Spa beach hut area is progressing to the second stage of public engagement. The objective is to stabilise and enhance these important green seafront areas for the benefit of both the Swanage community and its visitors. Following the first round of engagement, proposals to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility on Shore Road are also being presented.

    Project updates

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    Project overview

    Dorset Coast Forum, Swanage Town Council and Dorset Council are inviting residents, visitors, and local businesses to share their views on fresh proposals for the Swanage Green Seafront. Building on feedback from the 2023 consultation, this engagement round introduces a new option for the Green Seafront, alongside four potential highways options for Shore Road from Dorset Council. In this unique engagement, the community have the opportunity to have a say on two major projects on the Seafront, something never before seen in Swanage.

    Major stabilisation works are essential to address ongoing ground movement across the Green Seafront. Participants are encouraged to compare a new option with the essential option from 2023.

    The new option features:

    • An enhanced and expanded event field achieved by filling in Walrond Road.
    • Improved accessibility throughout the area.
    • A new accessible seafront plaza with accessible toilets and a kiosk cafe.
    • Improvements to the Spa area including new beach huts and accessible beach chalets.
    • Additional landscape planting to support wildlife and biodiversity.

    Dorset Council is also seeking feedback on four options for the northern section of Shore Road, which could align with the Green Seafront works. These include:

    1. Full closure of Shore Road.
    2. Partial closure with a one-way system.
    3. Removal of parking.
    4. Maintaining the current layout.

    This informal engagement runs until late June. Results will be shared with Swanage Town Council and Dorset Council. Preferred options will be subject to further formal consultation related to planning permission and changes to traffic regulations. The stabilisation works are expected to begin in Autumn 2026 however this is subject to change.

    Visit the project page to view more information on the new option, get involved and have your say >> Swanage Green Seafront Stabilisation & Shore Road Enhancement Scheme

     

    #CoastalConnection  #CoastalInnovation

    Who’s listening?

    Elaine Snow

    Elaine Snow

    Dorset Coast Forum Project Officer

    Find out more about Swanage Green Seafront Stabilisation & Enhancement Scheme

    Click for more information and to get involved