Swanage Green Seafront Stabilisation & Enhancement Scheme

Update - 6 December 2023

Thank you to everyone who took part in the consultation process, from attending events, providing your input, and completing the survey.

Please click on the image below to read the Public Consultation Report, Survey Results and Key Findings:

Welcome to the homepage for the public consultation of the Swanage Green Seafront Stabilisation & Enhancement Scheme (Sandpit Field, Weather Station Field and the Spa beach hut area).

Watch here as the Mayor of Swanage Cllr Tina Foster & Dorset Coast Forum's James Mitchell introduce the scheme.

Background

Due to significant ground movement and slope instability, three areas in Swanage need to undergo essential ground stabilisation works. These include Sandpit Field, Weather Station Field, and the ‘Spa’ beach hut area.

Significant stabilisation works were undertaken by Swanage Town Council In 2013/14 to stabilise the Recreation Ground. This scheme provided new beach huts and enhancements to this location such as new public toilets and showers.

The area north of this, specifically Sandpit and Weather Station Fields and the Spa Beach hut area, is also experiencing extensive ground movement and slope instability

This land has been monitored over recent years to determine the nature and impact of the ground instability. Evidence of the ground movement is visible if you visit the areas concerned – which show large areas of uneven ground and significant cracks in both retaining walls and in the footpaths. The Spa public conveniences and surrounding paths were closed to the public in 2018 due to ground movement. Swanage Town Council are now monitoring over 40 'defects'.

Whilst it is not possible to determine when a significant ground movement may occur, as this depends on a wide range of factors, there are consequences of inaction, e.g. risks of increased dereliction and costs of temporary/emergency works. Therefore, the essential stabilisation works are currently scheduled for 2025/2026 and there may be an opportunity - as presented in the Swanage Seafront Masterplan - to significantly enhance these areas, whilst retaining them as a premier events field and key green space. This would ultimately be dependent upon funding.

Read the FAQs for more information

Option One: Essential Scheme

This option would stabilise the area and retain Sandpit Field as a large events field for future generations whilst retaining current features of the fields with greenery and stone walls.

Read about Option One here

Option Two: Enhanced Scheme

This option would stabilise and significantly enhance the area with the notable filling in and conversion of Walrond Road to create more green space linking up the sections of the Green Seafront. This option offers numerous public realm improvements including increased accessibility, biodiversity and enhanced event space but is significantly more costly than the essential scheme.

Read about Option Two here

Further Considerations & Finance

Read about further considerations & finance here