Studland beach protection to be removed
The National Trust will let nature take its course in an experiment which they say will result in a more natural beach within a couple of years
The National Trust will let nature take its course in an experiment which they say will result in a more natural beach within a couple of years.
Dorset Council has approved the application after receiving no objections to the proposals from Natural England, conservation and environment officers and Studland Parish Council.
The site, between South Beach and Knoll Beach, is adjacent to the 120-space car park at the Fort Henry end of the Trust’s Studland beachfront.
The decision to remove some of the sea defences at the beach is part of the Trust’s ‘Shifting Shores’ policies, as well as a local Shoreline Management Plan.
The strategy for Middle beach is that of managed realignment in the short term, followed by an indefinite period of no active intervention.
Said a statement to Dorset Council explaining the tactics: “Managed Realignment allows the shoreline to retreat or advance in a controlled and managed way. No active intervention allows nature to take its course either on undefended coast or by the removal of current defences.”
It is believed that the current defences have been ‘locking in’ sediment behind the beach which, once the defences have been removed will be naturally replenished.
Said the Trust: “This application seeks to remove man-made stone gabions used as coastal sea defences, and the retaining wall. Regrading of the slope behind the beach is also proposed for health and safety reasons as the site is subject to coastal erosion.”
A removal method statement says the rock armour will be removed first, and then the existing gabion wall structure with large rocks placed on the beach during the Second World War to be retained.
Bracken and sycamore saplings in the adjoining area will be removed as part of the wider works to create areas of open sand for invertebrate species, breeding birds and reptiles.
Said the Trust agent: “It is considered the removal of the sea defences and retaining wall are a betterment visually to the landscape at Middle Beach, creating a cove at the southern end of the beach adjacent to Redend Point cliffs, with a small sandy beach area. Once the defences are removed, the shoreline will readjust quite rapidly to a natural alignment, in line with the shoreline management plan, and ensuring the beach future.”
It has not been confirmed when the work will take place.