Along the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site, the greatest threat to the geodiversity is through the construction of coastal defences as these may interfere with natural processes and obscure the geological interests. At the same time the gateway towns are an integral part of the coast. They are where people live, work, stay and discover the coast. With climate change, rising sea levels and a predicted increase in stormy weather and winter rainfall, the conflict between coast defence and the protection of the World Heritage Site will only increase.

Coastal defence is currently the responsibility of Local Authorities while flood defence lies with the Environment Agency. Shoreline Management Plans develop a strategic overview to management and they are developed by Coastal Groups composed from local authorities, flood defence and conservation agencies amongst others. SCOPAC, the Standing Conference on Problems Associated with the Coastline, meet regularly to co-ordinate shoreline management along the south central coast of England (Dorset to Kent).

Capital funding for the construction of coast defence schemes comes from DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) but applications for schemes must pass tough tests in terms of cost, effectiveness and environmental acceptability. Development within or near the Site is a further threat as it may lead to a call for further coast defences in the future. Integrating coastal defence and planning is a key issue here, as it is with flooding.

Coast defences can be constructed without damaging the World Heritage Site as most of the coastal towns lie outside the World Heritage Site because previous coastal defences have obscured the geological interest. However, continued erosion will inevitably lead to more property coming under threat. Balancing the protection of property and infrastructure with the natural interests and beauty of the coast will remain a challenging issue for the future.

Links:

Standing Conference on Problems Associated with the Coastline (SCOPAC) 

Channel Coast Observatory

Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)