Dorset Coastline Case Study

Background of the Dorset Coast The Dorset Coast is also known as the Jurassic Coast. The rocks are 140 million years old. It was first made a national park due to fossils and trying to preserve them. It is now a world heritage site.

Landscape of Dorset Coast There is a variety of landslides, beaches, bays and cliffs which result in an ever changing landscape. Varying landscape lends itself to a diverse range of birds and wildlife e.g. dolphins.

Geology in the Landscape Purbeck is a classic place to see how the underlying rocks control the development of the landscape and coastline. Around Lulworth, hard bands of Portland limestone form a barrier to the sea. Inland, the underlying geology controls the form of the landscape. A huge fold in the rocks runs between Lulworth and Ballard Down, creating a striking chalk ridge upon which Corfe Castle is built. To the north, younger sands and clays give rise to the heathland character around Poole Harbour.

Honey pot sites- Lulworth Cove Lulworth Cove is the prime Dorset attraction for the budding geographer or simply for a leisurely walk along the natural world heritage coastline and the challenging hills. Lulworth Cove was formed about 10,000 years ago. It continues to evolve behind a narrow Portland stone entrance as the softer Purbeck, Wealdon Green sand and Chalk exposures are eroded. Benefits of Lulworth Cove: Many beautiful long stretches of beach. Lots of stunning accommodation. Many entertainment like sailing, pubs and restaurants.

Honey Pot Sites- Durdle Door Durdle door is a rock arch in the sea which was formed as a result of the softer rock being eroded away behind the hard limestone, allowing the sea to punch through them. The word Durdle, is derived from an old English word ‘thrill’ meaning drill. Eventually the arch will collapse to leave a sea stack such as those that can be seen at Ladram Bay in East Devon…

General problems and solutions of Honey Pot sites Problems of Honey Pot sites: Traffic congestion, especially narrow raods during holiday times. Air pollution from exhaust fumes. Noise pollution from cars and people. Erosion of footpaths around beauty spots. Visitors may cause problems for farmers, disturbing lambs. Locals may find area changing from its traditional roots and being crowded, they may leave. Solutions to problems of Honey Pot sites: Traffic restrictions, more parking space. One way road system. Separate road for locals. Repair of eroded footpath. By-pass.

COASTAL DEFENCE SCHEMES AND ASSOCIATED ISSUES In 1980 it became clear that West Dorset District Council needed to carry out some form of coastal protection work at Lyme Regis as a result of the problems posed by landslips in Langmore and Lister gardens, and the problem of maintenance of failing sea walls. In addition to these coast protection problems the River Lim and the town beaches were often becoming polluted during storm conditions due to an ageing sewage and foul water storage system which could no longer cope with the demands

PLANNING ISSUES LAND USE PLANS NEED TO ENSURE THAT UNNECESSARY DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT TAKE PLACE WHERE IT WOULD INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY OR PEOPLE AT RISK. MANY PROPERTIES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY THE EROSION OF THE FORE SHORE AND MAJOR BREACHES OF THE SEA WALLS. The residents, in the coastal parts of Weymouth, have already had part of their gardens fall into the sea due to recent land slips. A further 30 homes are at risk over the next 150 years

flooding The average cost of flooding is currently £250,000 per year. This consists of damages to residential and commercial properties and agricultural land. In addition, several sites with environmental designations are affected by flooding. The winters of , , and all saw notable flooding events. Each time properties were flooded from a combination of river, groundwater and surface water flooding. In addition, more minor flooding occurs every year in some area.

flooding Severe winter storms and warmer than average summer temperatures will mean a greater risk of thunderstorms and flash flooding. Guidance from the government suggests this could increase river flows by 20 per cent by 2100 this will mean that a greater effort will be needed to: Make sure that main roads remain passable. Protect and improve important wildlife sites and species. Protect and enhance historic features. Conserve the special landscape of West Dorset. Maintain and restore watercourses and floodplains to their natural state. Protect water quality.

Infrastructure and access All built structures such as bridges, pylons, roads and railway lines will become more vulnerable to higher winds, flooding, storm events and soil moistures changes. Damage to rural roads and overloading of sewers may also become more commonplace. The coastal villages and towns are easily cut off during storm conditions because most have only one access route in and out of the towns e.g. Swanage, Ringstead, Charmouth and Portland.

Infrastructure and access All built structures such as bridges, pylons, roads and railway lines will become more vulnerable to higher winds, flooding, storm events and soil moistures changes. Damage to rural roads and overloading of sewers may also become more commonplace. The coastal villages and towns are easily cut off during storm conditions because most have only one access route in and out of the towns e.g. Swanage, Ringstead, Charmouth and Portland.

Social and Economic Opportunities on the Dorset Coast As a coastal area, Dorset has used its natural resources to develop both in social and economic thresholds. This has ranged from primary industry such as fishing- which has been practised in Dorset for hundreds of years- to the tertiary sector and the very large tourism industry which now exists in Dorset. Various SSSIs in the area have allowed Dorset to enter into the Quaternary sector also.

Industry on the Dorset Coast Fishing has been an important part of Dorset’s coastal zone for hundreds of years. Today, activity focuses on a fleet of 300 vessels based on Dorset’s ports and harbours, and a larger number beyond the 6-mile limit, some of which land their catch locally. The fleet targets a mixed fishery offshore, with crabs and lobsters being the staple catch for many boats.

Maritime industries Maritime industries are businesses which are dependant on the marine environment. They include firms which practice in boat manufacture and the associated equipment and services. Poole Harbour is the hub of maritime industry in Dorset, with over 115 firms practising there. A further 30 firms are based in Bournemouth and Christchurch, with 15 more in Weymouth and Portland. The marine industries employ an estimated 2000 workers in Dorset, both skilled and unskilled, and the total estimated turnover from marine industries in Dorset exceeded £180million. It is estimated that around 19% (£34million) of this was retained locally.

Oil and Gas The Oil and Gas industries have become established in Dorset’s coastal zone following the cultivation of Wytch Farm: Europe’s largest offshore oilfield, which was discovered in However, along with the smaller Wareham and Kimmeridge fields, no other sites in Dorset would appear to be commercially viable. Furthermore, all recent proposals for offshore exploration have been subject to environmental assessment as Dorset’s already existing oilfields have high standards of environmental management.

Tourism Tourism is Dorset’s largest industry, with the coast being Dorset’s largest and most valued resource for this purpose. The tourism industry in Dorset consists of a large number of small and medium-sized businesses, which continually adapt to changes in the visitor market. However, it is also a clear source of pressure on the coastal environment and communities.

Tourism in Dorset: Studland Beach Due to its rich and varied plant and animal life, Studland Beach was declared a national reserve in The National Trust tries to run it as a family beach; a visitor centre was built in 1990 with its own shop, café and information point. There are 311 beach huts along the front of the beach, most are privately owned but the National Trust 38 for weekly and seasonal lets Visitor numbersOver 1million a year Parking spacesRoughly 3,500 in national trust car parks, plus 1,300 in the studland area Total number of cars par year in the national trust car parks 135, Foot passengers during the high season on the ferry 8,000 Visitors to the beach on a busy day 20,000-25,000

Conflicts and Solutions Conflict: Local people complain about noise and litter, traffic congestion and inconsiderable parking, particularly during the summer months. Solution: Setting up a poop scoop schemes to stop dogs fouling on beaches. Conflict: Up to 200 cars park illegally on the roadside or on the fragile heath. Solution: Fences along roadside to prevent illegal parking; overflow car parks have been made but no more are possible because they will destroy the heathland. Set up park and ride systems.

Conflict: Lulworth in Dorset is a heavy tourist destination. Tourists visiting Lulworth may find themselves in conflict with local people Solution: Some of the traffic problems have been solved by the building of a large car park, which is managed by the Lulworth Estate. It can accommodate over 500 cars, and a mini roundabout has been constructed to allow easy access in and out of the car park. Profits from the car park are used to subsidise a bus service from the local railway station to try and encourage people not to come by car.

Conflict: Some of the land around Lulworth is used by the Ministry of Defence for live firing. Some visitors are unhappy about this because of the noise pollution and the restrictions placed on visitors when roads and the South West Coast Path are closed. Firing has also caused damage to the coast. Landslides have occurred on the seaward side of Bindon Hill where extensive shell fire has been targeted at the landward side. Solution: The Ministry of Defence has helped resolve this conflict by agreeing a ‘no fire’ policy on the Lulworth range at weekends and during busy holiday periods, and the roads are also kept open at these times.

Conflict: Erosion of coastal paths by increased number of visitors. Solution: Repair severely eroded footpaths using local materials and vegetation which has been bio- engineered to improve resistance to walking. Conflict: Increase in holiday homes prices young people out of the market. Solution: Provide more local authority housing or subsidise housing for inhabitants of the area.

Conflict: Increased domestic sewage from increased visitor numbers. Solution: Improve sewage facilities at most sensitive beaches. Conflict: Seasonal employment. Solution: Promote tourism year round. Conflict: Disruption of fragile bird breeding sites and disruption by increased visitor numbers of areas which are environmentally sensitive eg. The Heath.

Conflict: Most visitors arrive by car and the road to the beach is also the road which crosses the Sandbanks. Solution: Ditches to stop 4x4 vehicles crossing the heathland; prosecuting off-road motorcyclists. Conflict: Many users of Poole Harbour wishing to use the same water so the area has to be managed. Solution: An Aquatic management Plan was introduced by the Poole harbour Commissioners in They allocated certain uses to special areas of the harbour. They have tried to keep conflicting uses away from each other to reduce problems to a minimum.

Economic and Social Opportunities on the Dorset coast As a coastal area, the Dorset Coast has many ways in which it can implement its natural environment to by making use of its physical and social resources. These range from primary industries, such as fishing, which have existed in the area for hundreds of years, to new Industries like tourism on the Studland peninsula, where the beach was declared a national reserve in 1962.