Highcliffe cliff top shelter improvements

The bespoke timber seating was fitted to the shelter in the Summer 2020 completing the public realm improvement at the Highcliffe cliff top shelters.

January 2020 Update

Improvements to both cliff top shelters at Highcliffe are progressing well. Both structures were cleaned back and re-painted in the Autumn with new blue and white sea side colours. The surrounding area around the shelter by the Cliffhanger cafe has been resurfaced with tarmac and an aggregate resin surface. The final element to this project will be bespoke timber seating, designed by Amanda Moore and will be installed by the contractors in the Spring. See Amanda's design for the shelters here.

Main shelter photos before and after improvements

2nd shelter located to the west of the Cliff Top car park, Highcliffe

July 2019 Update

Amanda has been working closely with the project team to develop her initial ideas into a final design for both shelters at Highcliffe cliff top. The shelter structure will remain the same, but both will be painted to brighten them up. The shelter closest to the Cliffhanger cafe will benefit from new timber seats and landscape improvements around the immediate area. The project team are currently sourcing contractors to complete the improvements and works which are due to be completed by the late Autumn this year.

January 2019 Update

Artist Amanda Moore has been appointed to design the improvements for both the shelters at Highcliffe cliff top. Amanda will be working on concept designs over the next few months.

What's happening next?

Following the community consultation which took place in June 2018, the community views have been collated and fed back to the project team. The next stage will be to appoint a Landscape Architect to help shape the proposed designs for the shelter and immediate surrounding area with Christchurch Borough Council taking the lead on the project. As the proposed design is developed there will be further opportunity for community engagement prior to the design being finalised.

Project Background

This project seeks to make improvements to an existing shelter at Cliff Top car park (near the Cliffhanger cafe), and make it an attractive, user-friendly area for everyone to enjoy. The area is well-known for its fantastic view and access to the beach. It is in a residential area and is supported by the community and various businesses, including the Cliffhanger cafe. The area is heavily visited with both staying and day visitors.

The existing shelter is currently used for seating and enjoying the coastal views in the lee of the wind.

Christchurch Borough Council, the Arts Development Company and Dorset Coast Forum are working in partnership to improve this site for visitors and residents. Specifically, we are looking at this shelter structure and the patch of land immediately around it. There are no plans or designs at present, we are seeking the views of the community first in order to have the best chance of getting the right result for Highcliffe.

The project will have a total budget of £80,000. £60,000 of this is coming from the government’s Coastal Community Fund through the Dorset Coastal Connections portfolio, which aims to improve people’s physical, emotional, digital and intellectual connections to Dorset’s coast. The remainder of the funding is being provided by Christchurch Borough Council.

Community Engagement

Thank you to everyone who engaged with the consultation at the end of June 2018 where we asked the community and visitors various questions and inviting people to share their thoughts and views on the shelter as it is and the extent and type of potential improvements.

Overall feedback from the consultation showed that the majority of people felt that there is need to improve the existing shelter by way of a restoration of the existing features that blend-in to the environment. Feedback showed that the people felt strongly that the shelter should remain a shelter with windows to enable views from all sides of the shelter, but still providing shelter from the natural elements. Responses also highlighted that is would be useful to show visitor information on the shelter but not in a way that restricts views. The beaches, views and walking along this natural coastline are very important to residents and to share information about the views/what can be seen from the shelter and what is close by would help visitors feel more connected to Highcliffe.

You can see the full consultation feedback report here.