Sidmouth

The community

Sidmouth is an historically important seaside town, which was once an important fishing port for the South Coast of Devon. It has a world renowned Folk Festival that has been running since 1955, but today is a popular centre for tourism. It is now characterised by the famous promenade along the seafront which is lined with Victorian and Georgian buildings. The River Sid enters the sea at the eastern end of town, with Alma Bridge providing the main access from the main town to Pennington Point.

Coastal defences

The town is currently defended by a range of coastal defences, including rock groynes, offshore rock breakwaters and a seawall extending the length of the esplanade. These protect seafront buildings from erosion and direct wave damage as well as low-lying areas in the town centre from flooding. There are no existing coastal defences protecting Pennington Point.

Draft Shoreline Management Plan 2: Policy and Implications

The long term policy (for the next 100 years) is to ‘Hold The Line' for the main town of Sidmouth along the fronting esplanade and beach. This means the existing coastal defences will be maintained and the risk of flooding to Sidmouth town is controlled for at least 100 years.

The mouth of the River Sid and cliff top of Pennington Point will be subject to ‘Managed Realignment'. There are currently minimal defences at the mouth of the River Sid but coastal flooding and sea level rise will impact on the footbridge and river mouth area.

Click here to find out more about the Shoreline Management Plan.

The issues

Sidmouth's economy relies heavily on the tourist industry, with events such as the annual Folk Festival drawing visitors to the town. There are currently plans to explore possible locations for further visitor parking and visitor facilities. As a result, maintenance of coastal defences along the sea front is seen as vital to the economy.

Sidmouth is a Gateway town to the Jurassic Coast. To find out more information click here.

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Sidmouth

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).
Charmouth

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).
Seatown

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).
Preston Beach Road, Weymouth

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).
Ringstead

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).
North Swanage

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).

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