Swanage Town Coastal Protection Scheme

Dorset Council in partnership with the Environment Agency, Dorset Coast Forum, Swanage Town Council and the Swanage Coastal Change Forum are looking at options for coastal flood defences to protect Swanage. The scheme is in the early stages and this consultation is to incorporate feedback on the impacts of the delivery of a proposed flood defence scheme for Swanage.

The proposed scheme has been designed by flood and coastal erosion risk management authorities and at this stage we are consulting with key stakeholders directly impacted by the possible placement of the flood defences and the wider public. The feedback from this consultation will be included in the outline business case to submit to the Environment Agency for funding to deliver a flood defence scheme. If funding is obtained, there will be further consultation with the wider community and specific groups as the scheme is developed.

Why are flood defences needed in Swanage?

In storm events or high tide and easterly winds, the current sea wall in Swanage suffers from overtopping. Overtopping is where waves are driven over the wall causing problems for both town centre businesses and the local community. This is an ongoing issue and has diverse implications for Swanage, impacting upon the environment, businesses and tourism. The impacts of these events on Swanage have demonstrated the need for improved protection.

Photo credit: Malcolm Turnbull

Currently, the Environment Agency install seasonal temporary defences to protect the town during the winter months, but flood events are not just restricted to the winter season. With increasingly frequent storms events and rising sea levels, Coastal Engineers are currently working towards the provision of permanent flood defences for Swanage.

When can I find out about the proposed flood defences?

Swanage residents, businesses and organisations who are directly impacted by the proposed flood defences were invited to an online engagement event in Spring 2021 to find out more about the proposals. If you were not able to join the event, you can view the presentation and the proposals for the flood defence scheme here. As the project progresses, these proposals will be updated on a regular basis.

This was followed by an online survey responded to by businesses, organisations and residents located in the Shore Road, The Parade, The Square and Lower High Street areas, who might be directly impacted by the proposed scheme. Feedback from the survey highlighted what some of those impacts are and other information we should consider as the project develops.

Here is an updated map of the project area and proposed timeline.

A regular newsletter dedicated to the project will be available quarterly from Summer 2022 so that residents and visitors to Swanage can keep up to date with how the project is progressing.

Swanage Newsletter Mar 2023

Swanage Newsletter Nov 2022

Swanage Newsletter Aug 2022

Find out more about how you can get involved at the Swanage Town Coastal Protection Scheme Have Your Say website