1. THE DORSET COAST

2. Case study area 2- Dorset Coast LOCATION This area lies on the south coast of England, between the settlements of Lyme Regis in the east and Bournemouth in the west, in the county of Dorset. The southern boundary is the English Channel,to the north is Somerset & Wiltshire, Hampshire to the east & Devon to the west. The area is about 180kms to the SW of London, accessed by the M3 to Southampton, 80km to the to the northeast, at Southampton.

3. M3

4. Lyme Regis Portland Bill Swanage Bournemouth

5. The physical geography can be divided into 2 geographical zones;- 1.From Lyme Regis to Portland Bill there is a depositional coastline, with mostly low clay cliffs & sandy beaches with pronounced Longshore Drift resulting in sand spits, bars & tombolos Conflicts here revolve around the management of the beach material and controversy abounds as to how the management of one area affects its neighbours. The main conflict centres around West Bay, near Bridport

6. West Bay Depositional coastline

7. 2. From Portland Bill eastwards towards Swanage. Here there is an erosional coastline, with tall, more resistant chalk cliffs being eroded and weathered. Mass movements occur here frequently. The conflicts revolve around the management of tourism so that it maximises the economic and social opportunities yet minimises the environmental degradation of the scenery. The main conflict centres around Lulworth Cove.

8. LULWORTH COVE

9. Lulworth : tourism figures About 750,000 people visit Lulworth in a year 35% of them come in six weeks during July and August Only 10 % come during the four winter months November to February 95% of Lulworth’s visitors are day vistors The vast majority (over 90%) come by car and coach The Heritage Centre is Dorset’s second most visited tourist attraction and its most visited free attraction The footpath between Lulworth and Durdle Door is the busiest 1 mile stretch of the whole 600 mile SW Coastal Path

10. 95 miles of outstanding scenery and wildlife habitats e.g. the Cove, Stair Hole, cliff path views, Durdle Door It is located on the South West Coastal Path (long distance footpath similar to West Highland Way) Good tourist infrastructure includes cafes, hotels, B and B’s, ice cream kiosks, heritage centre, various shops, holiday park and youth hostel West Lulworth is a picturesque village with thatched cottages and rural ambiance The nearby fossil forest is an important geological SSSI The ‘classic’ coastal features are of interest to students of geography and geology What attracts visitors to Lulworth?

11. There is a good range of outdoor recreational activities eg: watersports, beach activities, boat trips,walking Sites of historical interest eg Corfe Castle Gateway towns eg Swanage, that have developed as tourist resorts Clean & safe (blue flag status) beaches eg: Durdle Door England’s first World Heritage Site because area depicts a geological ‘walk through time' spanning 3 geological periods. Known as The Jurassic Coast What attracts visitors to Lulworth?

13. Economic advantages and disadvantages of tourism Advantages Employment opportunities i.e. job creation Tourist spending boosts the local economy Local population has more money to spend locally (multiplier effect) Local infrastructure is improved e.g. roads, railways, leisure facilities, retail outlets, medical facilities Improved job opportunities reduces outmigration from the area Disadvantages Increased traffic congestion Increases in various forms of pollution through litter, noise, vandalism, traffic Adverse impact on natural habitats Increased property prices squeeze out local buyers Demands for new property especially holiday accommodaton Jobs created are often seasonal and not beneficial to local people

14. The Jurassic Coast : Social and Economic Opportunities VV ‘05

15. The Jurassic Coast offers a wide range of social and economic opportunities, including … Tourism and recreation Farming Port functions e.g. fishing, marinas Military land use ‘Protected’ land

16. Farming

17. Agriculture is the major land use along the Jurassic coastline. Most of the cliff top pastures support sheep grazing and dairying. The eastern end of the coastline is underlain by chalk and grazing helps to keep the turf short and support chalk downland plants.

18. Port Functions

19. Good natural harbours along the Jurassic coast hosted a large fishing fleet in the past. Today, residual fishing activity continues from ports such as Weymouth, Lyme Regis and here in picturesque Beer in East Devon. Fishing boats, Beer The growth of tourism has acted as a stimulus for the development of leisure sailing activities. Developments such as this large marina at Weymouth have appeared as a consequence. Weymouth

20. Military Land Use

21. There is a long history of military use of the Jurassic Coast : Historically, the most important site was the naval base at Portland but this closed in 1999. The Army Gunnery School at Lulworth (established during WW1) is now the most significant military installation. 30,000 hectares of land to the east of Lulworth are used for firing ranges including heavy tank fire. The ranges occupy cliff top land which would is not suited to arable farming. Adjacent coastal waters do not encroach on major shipping lanes.

22. Protected Land

23. The unique quality of the landscape and its wildlife habitats merit protection by many different conservation agencies. The local economy benefits through the creation of associated jobs and the visitors which are attracted to the area.

24. Tourists M.O.D. Fishermen Farmers Locals Local Estate Who uses the land around Lulworth ?

25. in and around the Lulworth ‘Honeypot’

26. What are Land Use Conflicts? Land use conflicts arise when users of the land do not agree on how it should be used: it takes at least two ‘sides’ to have a conflict. Questions on land use conflicts will ask about- a) What land users may be in conflict with one another? b) What actual conflicts arise between these groups? c) How can the conflicts be resolved? d) How successful are the solutions? You are asked to ‘assess’ or ‘evaluate’ These questions will be considered in the context of the Lulworth ‘Honeypot’

27. Case study of tourism-related conflicts in and around Lulworth

28. Tourists may find themselves in conflict with the following groups : The Ministry of Defence Local people (including Lulworth estate, the major local landowner) The Local Authority Environmentalists

29. Examples of Conflicts: The M.O.D. v Tourists Tourists are denied access to large areas around Lulworth for much of the year because of necessary military activity What might the MOD complain about regarding the tourists?

30. Tourists complain about Tourists complain about : a)general access difficulties when roads are closed b)restrictions which the ranges impose on walkers

31. The MOD does permit access to the ranges at various times. However, problems of access mean there are fewer visitors. However, this helps to preserve the downland and heathland habitats and the ranges have become a reserve for wildlife and an attraction for tourists. MOD v Tourists Habitat preservation

32. M.O.D. resolve the conflict by: Permitting access to the ranges at weekends and busy holiday periods Keeping roads open during the busiest holiday periods Noise levels associated with firing are much reduced at these times They also argue that limiting public access has helped to preserve the area and restrict developments which might have made the area less attractive to some tourists. Their access limitations mean that some stretches of the coastline are only accessible to people who are prepared to walk. This helps to preserve quiet stretches on the coastline.

33. Tourists v the Local Community Congestion, noise and pollution

34. Local people complain about …… Congestion : Congestion : the road to Lulworth Cove is narrow and it is a ‘dead end’ so this part of the village has to absorb all traffic. Inconsiderate parking : Inconsiderate parking : creates access problems for local people Noise and litter : Noise and litter : the traditional character of the village is spoiled during the summer tourist months by vehicle noise and indiscriminate litter dropping.

35. Litter : Litter : this creates visual pollution and is a threat to wildlife Visual intrusion : Visual intrusion : the holiday park which is managed by the Lulworth Estate is unsightly and out of keeping with the landscape

36. Unsightly tourist shops : Unsightly tourist shops : these are not in keeping with the character of the village. Local people also complain that other shops raise prices during the tourist season. Second homes : Second homes : many houses are bought as second homes and lie empty for much of the year. House prices become inflated meaning that it is difficult for local people to buy property.

37. Tourists v Local Community The tourist industry provides employment for local people, brings money & improved services into the local economy

38. The Lulworth Estate manages a car park which accommodates over 500 vehicles on hard standing and in overflow areas A mini roundabout has been constructed to provide easy access to the car park The estate also subsidises a bus service from the local railway station to encourage visitors not to come by car Car parking charges are high. Visitors may choose to avoid this by more indiscriminate parking. How can some of these problems be solved?

39. Local Landowner v Tourists The principal local landowner, the Lulworth Estate, uses car park revenue to : a)fund a range of facilities for tourists b)fund conservation schemes e.g. footpath maintenance and grassland management They also employ a number of local people

40. Farmers v Conservationists High stocking rates threaten downland (chalkland)vegetation

41. Farmers v Conservationists Farmers are encouraged to join schemes such as Countryside Stewardship. Farmers receive payments in return for lower stocking rates and for work to restore chalk grassland. They also have to grant educational access to their land. Managed grassland in ‘Scratchy Bottom’ dry valley Most of the tenant farmers on the Lulworth Estate receive Countryside Stewardship grants.

42. Environmentalists and conservation groups complain that tourists cause ….. Footpath erosion : Footpath erosion : This is particularly obvious on the path from Lulworth to Durdle Door - one of the most heavily walked paths in Britain Chalk grassland vegetation is very fragile. Trampling reveals thin soils which are easily eroded. The steep slopes above Lulworth and down to Durdle Door increase erosion rates.

43. Resolving the conflicts between tourists and environmentalists Tourist car parking revenue is used by Lulworth Estate to fund : 1. Free aHeritage Centre which 1. Free admission to the Heritage Centre which offers a range of displays, including interpretative boards to encourage environmental conservation through public education. Also a programme of talks and guided walks 2. The Countryside Ranger Service 2. The Countryside Ranger Service - two full time rangers employed to undertake a wide range of coastal management duties.

44. 3. Footpath maintenance – 3. Footpath maintenance – much work has been carried out to halt and prevent further erosion. Lulworth to Durdle Door path been rerouted, reseeded and new waymarking inserted. The existing path has been reinforced with local limestone cobbles and steps New timber steps have been built on the steep paths at Durdle Door

45. ……. Other environmentally friendly policies employed by the estate in its management of tourism……. Durdle Door beach is intentionally un- commercial The one ice cream kiosk has to be towed away every night Litter bins are not provided – visitors are encouraged to take litter away Climbing on the cliffs is banned to prevent damage to the fragile chalk and limit disturbance to wildlife Fossil collecting is not permitted on the cliffs There are plans to visually screen the holiday park

46. How effective is the path maintenance? Resurfacing encourages more walkers! The whiteness of the path is an unnatural scar on the landscape. Steps are unnatural and walkers often choose to avoid them by walking on the grass verge

47. Local landowner v Environmentalists and Local Residents This large and very visible holiday park, run by the Lulworth Estate, is seen by many to be a blot on the landscape

48. When discussing tourism, remember….. Large numbers of visitors bring significant benefits to a rural area which traditionally relied on fishing and farming to sustain the economy Tourism provides substantial full time and seasonal employment Tourism brings revenue into the local economy This results in greater social stability for the local population Funds generated by tourism provide the Lulworth estate with capital for investment at the Cove and for general Estate improvements