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Jurassic Coast
North Swanage
The community
North Swanage is the area north of the sea front esplanade in Swanage. It consists of a dense mixture of private property and large hotels, some of which are currently perilously close to the cliff top. The cliffs are designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for their geological interest.
Coastal defences
There is a low sea wall protecting the toe of the cliffs along the esplanade, timber groynes lining the beach and ongoing beach nourishment schemes. There are also some private cliff stabilisation schemes in place along this stretch of coastline.
Shoreline Management Plan 2: Policy and Implications
The draft short and medium term policy for North Swanage is ‘Hold the Line', but moving to ‘Managed Realignment' in the longer term. This means the sea wall, groynes and beach nourishment schemes will continue to be maintained until 2060, after which it will become increasingly challenging to protect.
Click here to find out more about the Shoreline Management Plan.
A recent article was published in the Purbeck Gazette (Feb 2011) which details the SMP policies for the area and discusses how these policies will affect the local community. Click here to read the article (page 14-15).
The issues
Despite the sea wall, beach nourishment and private cliff stabilisation schemes, small landslides continue to threaten some properties along the cliff-top. Recharge of the beach with fine material may become a less viable option in the future, and it may be necessary to recharge with coarser material in order to maintain the level of protection. In the medium to long term, erosion of the cliff top will mean property loss along the cliff top and impacts to the coast footpath between Sheps Hollow and Ballard Down.
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Location: Sidmouth lies on the East Devon coast between Branscombe and Budleigh Salterton. It has its own Town Council.
Population: Sidmouth has a population of approximately 14,400, of which 35% are above retirement age.
Designations: Sidmouth is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Location: Charmouth lies on the West Dorset coast between Lyme Regis and Bridport (west of Seatown). It has its own Parish Council.
Population: The parish has a population of 1,300 in 850 residential houses (20% are second homes/holiday homes).
Designations: Charmouth is within Dorset's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Location: Seatown lies on the West Dorset coast between Lyme Regis and Bridport (east of Charmouth) and falls within Chideock Parish Council.
Population: The parish has a population of 600 with 36% being over retirement age. Of this population, there are 20 residential address points within Seatown.
Designations: The whole area falls within Dorset's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with some areas designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The whole coast frontage is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).Location: The Preston Beach Road is the main road (A353) connecting Weymouth to Overcombe and Preston. Preston is located North-East of Weymouth, between Broadwey and Osmington and falls within the Weymouth and Portland District Coucil.
Population: Preston has a population of approximately 5,000 with 2,450 residential properties.
Designations: Lodmoor Nature Reserve lies behind the Preston Beach Road and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Bowleaze Cove (north end of Preston Beach Road) is encompassed by a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).Location: Ringstead lies on the Dorset coast between Preston (near Weymouth) and Lulworth, on the boundary between Osmington Parish and Owermoigne Parish.
Population: 580 in Osmington Parish and 490 in Owermoigne Parish. There are 75 residential address points in Ringstead, half of which are caravans.
Designations: The whole area falls within Dorset's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with the sea front designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC).Location: Swanage is in The Purbeck, between Durlston and Studland. North Swanage lies North of the Swanage town centre and includes the Ulwell Road area. It lies within Swanage Town Council.
Population: North Swanage and the Ulwell area has a population of 1,640 with approximately 1000 residential properties.
Designations: The whole area falls within Dorset's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the coast designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Copyright 2011 Jurassic Coast
Copyright 2011 Jurassic Coast