New Swanage N.1
Summary management approach
Maintain the viability and important heritage and community of Swanage whilst recognising the important landscape setting of the town and seafront, and the important geological value of the coast. The intent is to achieve this by maintaining the existing seawall/promenade and timber groynes, supported by periodic beach renourishment, to prevent erosion of the base of the cliffs in the short to medium term, whilst limiting further extension of defences, particularly further north along the shore in this unit. This will require use of risk management approaches which minimise landscape impact, whilst accepting some change and the potential requirement for adaptation measures where properties are affected. The approach in this area (north of the Tranville Ledges) is to provide suitable transition between the No Active Intervention approach in unit M.1 and the Hold the Line approach in units N.2 to N.4. The cliff top will continue to erode back due to drainage and weathering unless addressed by stabilisation measures that would need to be introduced by land owners.
Generic approach assigned to this unit
Management approaches depend on funding and relevant approvals and permissions. Adaptation to coastal change may be needed. If defences are present, some risk from flooding, erosion or ground instability may remain.
Time periods (short (0 to 20 years), medium (20 to 50 years) and long (50 to 100)) are approximate and do not signify precise dates of management transitions.
0 to 20 years (2005 to 2025)
HL1Hold the lineMaintain/replace
Where protection is currently provided by coastal defence structures or managed beaches, and the intention is to retain a defence along approximately the current alignment. This will involve replacing defences when needed. Defence type, method and standard of protection may be modified over time.
20 to 50 years (2025 to 2055)
HL1Hold the lineMaintain/replace
Where protection is currently provided by coastal defence structures or managed beaches, and the intention is to retain a defence along approximately the current alignment. This will involve replacing defences when needed. Defence type, method and standard of protection may be modified over time.
50 to 100 years (2055 to 2105)
MR4Managed realignmentNatural features
Where the intention is to maintain the flood or erosion risk management performance of a natural feature such as dune system, spit, or shingle barrier. This does not always mean fixing its position. The approach might involve active management of the feature or its surroundings to increase its width, length, height, or resilience. It does not involve building structures on or behind the natural feature.
Neighbouring units
The following units are within 1km of this one:
Protected sites
This area of coastline is in or near a special protection area.
Data last updated: 2024-04-17
View Special Protection Area on the Data Services PlatformThis area of coastline is in or near an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Data last updated: 2024-06-29
View Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Data Services PlatformThis area of coastline is in or near 2 special conservation areas.
Data last updated: 2024-04-17
View Special Area of Conservation on the Data Services PlatformThis area of coastline is not in or near a ramsar wetland area.
Data last updated: 2024-04-03
View Ramsar Site on the Data Services PlatformThere are no scheduled monuments near this area of coastline.
Data last updated: 2024-04-03
View Scheduled Monument on the Data Services PlatformThis area of coastline is not in or near a local nature reserve.
Data last updated: 2024-06-29
View Local Nature Reserve on the Data Services PlatformThere are 3 sites of special scientific interest near this area of coastline.
Data last updated: 2024-07-26
View Site of Special Scientific Interest on the Data Services PlatformThis area of coastline is not in or near a national nature reserve.
Data last updated: 2024-06-29
View National Nature Reserve on the Data Services PlatformThere is a marine conservation zone near this area of coastline.
Data last updated: 2024-04-03
View Marine Conservation Zone on the Data Services PlatformActions for this unit
All actions are subject to funding and approval, often by other parties than the Lead Organisation shown.
| Reference Number | Action Description | Action Lead Organisation | Action Progress Status | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.27 | Set-up a task and finish group to progress and implement actions arising from the SMP-Refresh covering units N.1 and O.1. | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council | Complete | Medium |
| 15.27.04 | Develop new North Swanage and Durlston Cliffs Management Strategy, ensuring ongoing engagement with the community, statutory stakeholders and private landowners is a key aspect of this work. | Dorset Council and National Trust | Not yet started | Medium |
| 15.45 | Deliver Swanage Beach Management (Beach Management Plan (BMP) & Works) | Dorset Council | Not yet started | Medium |
| 15.27.04.01 | Develop a coastal adaptation plan for North Swanage and Durlston Cliffs to manage property/infrastructure losses, ensuring this links to both the Dorset Local Plan and Swanage Neighboourhood Plan, and continues engagement with the community, statutory stakeholders and private landowners developed during production of the Cliff Management Strategy. | Dorset Council and National Trust | Not yet started | Medium-low |
| 15.48 | Ensure all SMP planning and delivery supports the Dorset and East Devon UNESCO World Heritage Site management policies and objectives as set out in the Jurassic Coast Partnership Plan. Engage with the Jurassic Coast Trust and affected stakeholders on the potential implications of risk management activities on the Site's Outstanding Universal Value, and any mitigation or compensation required. | Pending agreement | Progressing | Medium-low |
Download SMP documents
The information on this website represents the current SMP management approaches adopted by the local authorities within its area, and current actions needed to deliver them. These management approaches have been approved by the Environment Agency under its Strategic Overview for coastal flood and erosion risk management and are considered to be local policy.
The documents below provide the full SMP adopted locally and approved by the Environment Agency at the time of publication. Some of the information has changed in response to new government policy, new evidence or new work identified.
Data on this page
Main report
Appendices
- Appendix A - SMP Development
- Appendix B - Stakeholder Engagement
Appendix C - Baseline Process Understanding:
- Appendix D - Natural and Built Environment Baseline (Thematic Review)
- Appendix E - Issues and Objectives
- Appendix F - Strategic Environmental Assessment
- Appendix G - Scenario Testing
- Appendix H - Economics
- Appendix I - Estuary Assessment1
- Appendix J - Habitat Regulation Assessment
- Appendix K - Metadatabase
- Appendix L - Water Framework Directive
- Appendix M - Review of Hengistbury Head
- Appendix N - Client Steering Group Approvals
