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Future Studland

Future Studland

Future Studland

The National Trust and Dorset Coast Forum are working in partnership to build a long-term plan for the Studland area.

Project overview

The Future Studland plan will look ahead for the next 20 to 50 years. A key area it will explore is the balance between the area being a hugely popular place for people, as well as a nationally important wildlife habitat. It will also encompass travel and transport options, accessibility and the infrastructure in the area. We want to know how people are using the spaces now and what they would like to see in Studland for years to come.

A plan of this kind ensures that all local stakeholders have some guidance when making decisions.

Why is this needed?

Studland is a wild and natural peninsula and is the eastern gateway to the Isle of Purbeck as well as the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. It has a wide range of landscapes, habitats, land uses, buildings, heritage features, commercial centres and residential areas. It is a popular tourist destination, attracting over 1 million visitors, per year as well as being home for many residents and businesses. The scope of this project will cover all the of the Studland Peninsula from Shell Bay to Old Harry Rocks and encompasses the beaches, roads, services and habitats as well as the village itself.

Like many other areas of the UK, Studland is impacted by rapid coastal change. In the last two winters alone, major storm action has put huge pressure on the coastline, moving large swathes of beaches and edging closer to important infrastructure. Coastal erosion has been taking place for thousands of years but coupled with rising sea levels, some of the main facilities at Studland will be lost over the next 20-50 years and the local shoreline management plan suggests no active intervention should take place to prevent this. You can find out more about managing the coastline from the Shoreline Management Plan(External link) and the National Trust publication Shifting Shores(External link).

The National Trust have identified four key themes for the plan:

  • Wild identity
  • Infrastructure
  • Travel and access
  • Visitor Distribution and communications

Dorset Coast Forum are asking the community, stakeholders and visitors what they think should be included on the Future Studland Plan. This will take place through a series of engagement events, drop ins and activities as well as the tools on this site and questions will be asked around the themes.

Thank you to everyone who took part and completed the Future Studland survey, attended an event or chatted to us on the beach. The survey closed on the 30th September 2024 and survey responses and views have been passed to the National Trust to develop a Future Studland Plan.

#CoastalConnection  #CoastalInnovation 

Who’s listening?

Elaine Snow

Elaine Snow

Dorset Coast Forum Project Officer

Future Studland - Join the Conversation!

Click for more information and to get involved
Sustainable Swanage

Sustainable Swanage

Sustainable Swanage

A project established in Swanage as part of the Towns ongoing efforts to become a more sustainable community and protect our precious environment.

Project updates

Project overview

This project developed from working with the community and Town Council during a Litter Free Coast and Sea project based in Swanage that was focussed on protecting bathing water quality and reducing coastal litter. Our founding mission was to continue and develop this work upon completion of that project and positively support the community of Swanage in reducing its waste, with an emphasis on plastic. We have since expanded our work to include biodiversity and energy and active travel. We provide a link between different local organisations and groups and are working together to find solutions to issues that affect our local environment. We provide a central point of information for the community on these issues and provide a means of sharing good tips and connecting people. We are a positive group looking to the future and how we can all live more sustainably and become resilient to future stresses and challenges that we face in our community.

We have one part-time staff member who facilitates and supports the different projects and campaigns, and is the central point of contact. This role is funded by Swanage Town Council and hosted by Dorset Coast Forum. There are also a growing number of volunteers involved in the group at varying levels and to suit their interests. To find out more about getting involved or get help with a project idea you may have, visit the project website and/or follow us on our dedicated social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

#CoastalConnection #CoastalRecovery #RespectTheCoast

Dorset Coast Forum

Dorset Coast Forum

Find out more about Sustainable Swanage

Click for more information and to get involved
Dorset coastal stories

Dorset coastal stories

Dorset Coastal Stories

Dorset Coastal Stories is a series of short films which showcase the opportunities in commercial fishing and aquaculture in Dorset.

The 4 films are all based in Dorset, which follow the stories of local people and their pathways into fishing and aquaculture. One more films will follow later in the year, so watch this space. Please do watch and share these inspiring stories!

These films have been directed and produced by Jo Stewart-Smith from Butterfly Effect Films with photography and videography by Simon Vacher. Do take a look at Butterfly Effect Films’ Boat Stories series!

Young & Fishing with Sam Shuker

Sam Shuker, a 17 year old trainee commercial fisherman takes us out on a scallop boat from Lyme Regis and tells it like it is. He works long hours, determined to get as much experience as he can ready for the day when he is old enough to skipper a boat himself. Despite having all his fisherman tickets, Sam is also going to train to be a commercial diver, so that he can hand dive for scallops. He talks about the importance of the marine reserve for his fishery. He’s seen first-hand the ups and downs his fisherman father has gone through so he knows he’s chosen one of the toughest careers out there. But he loves the sense of freedom fishing brings. He says ‘the opportunities I have – it’s so much more than a job, it’s something I live for. I am determined to fight for it and if I have to rebuild it.’

The Fisherman Chef with Ashley Stones

This is an inspirational story of how one commercial fisherman affected, like so many, by quotas has found a way to make it work. For several years Ashley lived the dream. He tells us ‘I spent all my weekends and school holidays fishing – I absolutely loved it I couldn’t get enough of it. After college I went into catering but it was the fishing I wanted to do. I decided to jack in my proper job and turn my hobby into a career.” He’s passionate that rod and line fishing is sustainable and describes how quotas rocked his friends and colleagues in the Weymouth bass fleet. He has managed to keep fishing, catching less fish (under quota) but using his entrepreneurial and cheffing skills to add value to the fish he catches.

The Fisheries Observer with Ruth Hicks

Ruth Hicks our fisheries observer, says ‘people are surprised when she says she’s been out on a fishing trawler for a week, but more and more women are coming into the job now’. We follow her working on a fisheries science partnership, with fisherman Mark Cornwell and his crew, out of West Bay, (Bridport) looking at an issue – the discard ban, which could seriously impact the livelihoods of many small fisherman -especially those in mixed fisheries like Mark. It’s a fascinating story and as Liseve, Ruth’s co worker says ‘there’s a lot fishermen can teach us and working together we get the best blend of information and knowledge and sharing.’ In this case if, the scientific data proves what the fishermen are saying anecdotally -then there’s a chance for a win all round – including the fish!

Aquaculture in Dorset

Take a whistle-stop tour around the growing business of aquaculture in Dorset.

Meet the key people in a range of different kinds of aquaculture ranging from seaweed to shellfish and lumpfish (cleaner fish), and discover the wide range of opportunities for different kinds of work in the sector.

Dorset Coastal Stories were funded by

Dorset Coastal Connections 

Dorset Coastal Connections 

Dorset Coastal Connections

Dorset Coastal Connections was a portfolio of 18 projects along the Dorset Coast, led and coordinated by Dorset Coast Forum and funded by the Coastal Communities Fund.

Project overview

The 18 projects, which made up the portfolio, spanned across the Dorset coast from Lyme Regis to Christchurch and connects communities to the coast and to each other by improving physical, digital and emotional connection. The projects aimed to improve the public places we use and cherish by making them more attractive, functional and providing a sense of place using artistic interpretation to enhance these special coastal places

The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) awarded £5.6m of Coastal Community Funding (CCF) in May 2017 to the project, following a successful partnership portfolio bid which was coordinated by Dorset Coast Forum. Together, with match funding from many partner organisations, this collaboration of projects has overall invested £18.5million to connect our urban and rural coastal areas and has worked with communities to promote the Dorset coast.

The project was driven by 4 key themes:

  • Sustaining and developing the tourism economy
  • Having thriving and dynamic coastal and maritime businesses to encourage economic growth
  • Connecting the urban, rural and coastal communities across the Dorset coast
  • Conserving, enhancing and promoting Dorset’s special natural and cultural assets

The Dorset Coast Connections – people and places video showcase how this portfolio of projects connect communities with our spectacular coastal region.

Watch the Dorset Coastal Connections video

View Individual Projects

River Lim Path

Avon Beach Promenade

Bournemouth Pier Approach Seafront Regeneration

Highcliffe cliff top shelter improvements

Highcliffe Castle zig zag rebuild

Poole Seafront Development Project

Kimmeridge Wild Seas Centre

Leave only Footprints

Fossil Forest Access

West Bay Welcome Hub

West Bay Shared Access

West Bay Beach Access

Dorset Digital Connections

West Dorset Walkers Welcome

Weymouth Promenade Artistic Lighting

Purbeck Park

Contact

Dorset Coast Forum

Dorset Coast Forum

For further information about this project please contact:
dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 224833

Dorset Coastal Connections

This project was led by Dorset Council and coordinated by Dorset Coast Forum as part of the Dorset Coastal Connections portfolio. Funding was from the Coastal Communities Fund, managed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Aquaculture

Aquaculture

Aquaculture

Dorset Coast Forum has a rich history of engaging and working with the commercial aquaculture industry. In 2020, on the back of the successful Dorset and East Devon Fisheries Local Action Group programme the Dorset Mariculture Strategy was published and aims to provide a route for sustainable marine aquaculture development across Dorset.

Dorset Mariculture Strategy 2020-2025

The Dorset Mariculture Strategy’s Vision

“To have an industry-leading, highly productive aquaculture sector, driven by sustainable production practices and continuous innovation. A sector that delivers a resilient seafood supply chain, contributes to UK food security and brings substantial socio-economic benefits to coastal communities across Dorset”

Download the Dorset Mariculture Strategy here

South West Aquaculture Network (SWAN)

SWAN is a dedicated advocacy group committed to advancing sustainable aquaculture across the South West. Joining the South West Aquaculture Network equips you with invaluable resources, connections, and support to thrive in the aquaculture sector. Embrace the opportunity to be part of an innovative community committed to advancing the industry and promoting sustainable practices.

 Find out more here >

 

 

Mariculture Careers

This animated film about Mariculture careers aimed at 11-14 year old students, is a collaborative project funded by BCP Council and created by Discover Science Christchurch designed to increase awareness and visibility of Mariculture.

Oyster Farmers at Work. Photo credits: Butterfly Effect Films for both images  

Contact

Dorset Coast Forum

Dorset Coast Forum

Dorset Coast Forum is currently assessing funding opportunities to provide a key point of contact within the team and hopes to have an officer in post in the future.