Jurassic Coast Trust to Close
The charity has conserved and promoted the Jurassic Coast for the last seven years
The charity set up to conserve and promote Dorset's Jurassic Coast is to close after seven years.
The Jurassic Coast Trust (JCT) has said an analysis of commercial activities of the charity, as well as modelling of the effects of the rising costs of operations mean maintaining the charity was no longer viable.
It means oversight of its World Heritage Status will move back under the management of Dorset Council and Devon County Council.
The JCT's interim CEO, Luke Rake, said Trustees are committed to ensuring World Heritage status is maintained
World Heritage Status oversight will move back under the management of the Local Authorities of Dorset Council and Devon County Council, with the former acting as host authority.
The Trust says it was decided that the best way to ensure the continued benefits of World Heritage Status in Dorset and East Devon were to revert back to Local Authority care rather than remain an independent charity.
Cllr Nick Ireland, Leader of Dorset Council, said: “We would like to thank the Jurassic Coast Trust for their hard work and commitment over the past 7 years. We are working with the Trust and Devon County Council to ensure a smooth transition of the management of the World Heritage Site back to both councils.”
Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “We have a strong working relationship with Dorset Council, and I'm certain that together we can build on the work of the Trust to focus on improving education and awareness of the Jurassic Coast's prestigious status and we will ensure that this unique stretch of coastline is looked after for future generations."
Luke Rake said: "The Jurassic Coast is the only natural World Heritage site in England and rightly deserves its recognition as being of international significance. Sadly, despite excellent work of the staff in promoting the benefits and palaeontology of the area, and productive partnerships with research universities, local museums and businesses, the financial position of the Trust means it is unviable to continue in its current form. JCT Trustees are committed to ensuring World Heritage status is maintained and they and I are working closely with partners to ensure the best possible outcome for Devon and Dorset."
The Jurassic Coast, which spans 185 million years of geological history, was inscribed on the World Heritage List in mid-December 2001.
It stretches 96 miles, from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset.