CASE STUDIES

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A number of case studies illustrate some of the scenarios available to coastal engineers:

Studland Bay - 'Do nothing'
Ringstead Bay - 'Hold the line'
Osmington Mills - 'Do nothing'
Seatown - 'Hold the line'
Charmouth - 'Hold the Line'


More case studies will be added in the future together with a wider range of illustrative material.

An example of the 'Do Nothing ' management option

The National Trust manages the Studland peninsula, which had been accreting to the north and east for at least the last three hundred years. The aerial photograph shows the many sand ridges that have built up over the years and these closely match historic maps right back to 1607.

In recent years the southern end of the peninsula has been subject to rapid erosion of the accumulated sands, threatening beach huts, a car park and café. The dynamics of the peninsula is related to sediment movement across Poole Bay and the mouth of the Harbour, and this is currently the subject of ongoing research.

The following is an extract from the Trust's Management Plan, published in February 2001:

The National Trust's Studland Peninsula Plan (2001) has been written as a working document to guide the future management of this popular coastal and heathland site in Dorset. The Plan aims to explain the significance of this unique area, identifies the key issues which need to be addressed and proposes workable solutions and conservation policies to manage and protect it.

The significance of the site

The Studland Peninsula, on the corner of Purbeck between Poole Harbour and the sea, is a magnificent and diverse coastal and heathland site of national and international significance for its landscape, conservation habitats and wildlife. The famous four miles of sandy beaches and swathes of unspoilt heathland, rich in plant and animal life, archaeology and legend, attract hundreds of thousands of visitors and local people each year. The Peninsula is special to many people with a wide range of interests - from those seeking a peaceful moment bird watching to the more active leisure pursuits of swimming, sailing and horse riding.

4.1 Studland dunes and beach have built up over the last 300 years through natural processes but serious erosion in recent years now threatens the infrastructure at the Knoll and Middle beaches. Research commissioned by the National Trust from Bournemouth University in 1996 showed that the annual rate of erosion had increased significantly. Forecast for beach loss over a 25 year period made in 1995, were found to have happened in one year.

4.2 The main reason for erosion appeared to be climatic change and principally:-

i) an increase in easterly winds.
ii) an increase in stormy weather.
iii) a rise in sea level.

4.3 These natural processes are of outstanding significance to the property because:-

o Car parking spaces at the Knoll are fast being lost to the sea with 190 spaces lost in 1998. There is the expectation that this process will continue.

o South Beach and Middle Beach are now very narrow especially at high tide and their capacity to hold people is constrained especially where gabion sea defences have been installed.

o The bulk of the Trust's income generating activities on the property are at the southern end of the beach.

4 The Trust's national policy on coastal erosion:-

To allow natural erosion with a presumption against any hard sea defences.

o To acknowledge that the natural beauty of an area benefits from natural processes and is adversely effected by man made structures.

o To accept and work with natural processes and only in certain areas seek to interfere with them.

o That in the event of any work being undertaken, to prepare an environmental impact statement in advance of the works being undertaken.

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No new car parks will be constructed on the peninsula. Alternative means of transport to the car will be investigated. A long-term vision is a reduction in the number of vehicles coming to the peninsula and a greater dependence on public transport.

The Trust will not erect any permanent sea defences to protect the Knoll car park from erosion.

The Trust will continue to charge for car parking. The money raised will be used directly towards the management of the beach.

3.1 There are 260 beach hut sites leased and 40 huts owned by the National Trust and let on seasonal basis.

3.2 Huts have been present at Studland for over 100 years and have become very much a feature of the beach. They are extremely popular and the seasonal huts are always fully booked and there is a five-year waiting list for the hut sites. (The list was closed in 1996 as a consequence of the erosion)

3.3 Erosion of Middle, South and Knoll beach is threatening the beach hut sites. The Trust will adopt a process of managed retreat and as a consequence many beach hut sites may be lost.

3.4 The rental for the beach hut sites and seasonal letting make a significant contribution to the Estate income.

3.5 Objectives

o In so far as practical, to continue to lease the hut sites and operate the seasonal letting.

o To ensure the licence requirements are adhered to.

o To ensure the rent for hut sites are at the market value.

o To accept the loss of beach hut sites to erosion but to seek some alternative sites between Middle Beach and the Knoll.

3.6 Method of working

o The waiting list for hut sites will not be re-opened for 3 years.

o To identify, after consultation with English Nature and the District Council, new beach hut sites particularly on the area between the Middle Beach shop and the Knoll car park.

o To make clear to all beach hut owners the Trust's policy on managed retreat through the production of a leaflet/information sheet specifically aimed at beach hut owners.

o To review each licence to ensure that a site plan accompanies each licence.

o To write to each hut owner each year pointing out any repairs required even to ensure the terms of the licence are adhered to.

19.1 The South West Coast path runs for 630 miles and starts/finishes at Shell Bay

19.2 The path route was defined on the Ordinance Survey Map in 1965

19.3 The erosion and accretion of the beach at Studland have had substantial impact on the paths. Much of the path has now been lost at the southern end of the beach as a consequence of erosion. The path at the northern end of the beach runs through the dunes and there is no clear route marked on the ground. In practice, walkers have walked along the foreshore.

19.4 There are currently no signs marking the South West Coast route.

19.5 On many long distance paths in England, celebratory marker posts have been put at each end of the path. There is a celebratory post at the Minehead end/start of the South West Coast path but currently none at Studland. There is willingness by many walkers to see one constructed, although the erosion and geomorphology of the site make this very difficult.

19.6 Objectives

To realign the path to its correct route as feasible and create a new alternative path where it has been lost to erosion.

1.2 The continued erosion will have an effect on the income generating enterprises, particularly the Knoll car park, Knoll cafe and shop and the beach hut sites. The car park income currently meets the cost of the beach management and presentation. In seeking to find alternative means of transport to the beach, alternative means of raising finance (equivalent to that generated in the car parks) will need to be addressed.

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