Dorset Coastline Sea Defences Could Be Removed For Natural Beach

The plan is to let nature shape the beach. This should create a more natural beach in a few years. They asked Dorset Council for permission. The request includes removing a small wall.

The location is between South Beach and Knoll Beach. It is near the Studland beachfront car park. The work should help with coastal erosion. Erosion closed part of the Southwest Coastal Path until March 2026.

Removing defences is part of the Trust’s “Shifting Shores” policies. It follows a local Shoreline Management Plan too. Middle beach will use ‘managed realignment’ until 2025. After that, they will not actively intervene.

‘Managed Realignment’ allows the shoreline to change. Nature can then control the coast. Removing defences also lets nature do its work. The defences trap sediment behind the beach currently. Removing defences should release sediment.

About 13,000 m3 of sediment will replenish the beach. The council, parish council, and Natural England support the plan. They want to remove stone defenses and the wall. Slope regrading is planned for safety because of erosion.

First, they plan to remove the rock armour. Then comes the gabion wall. Large rocks placed during World War II will remain. Bracken and saplings will also be cleared. Open sand areas will help birds, reptiles, and bugs.

The agent thinks removing defenses improves the view. It will make a cove near Redend Point cliffs. A sandy beach area will appear. The shoreline will quickly become natural again. This aligns with the shoreline plan. The goal ensures the beach’s future.