Sea defences could be removed at beauty spot

Sea defences could be removed at a Dorset beauty spot under plans by the National Trust.

It said the removal of man-made stone gabions off Middle Beach, Studland, would "let nature take its course" and allow a more natural beach in two years.

An application to Dorset Council, submitted by a Wareham planning agent acting for the trust, also asks for permission to also remove a small retaining wall at the site between South Beach and Knoll Beach.

The agent said the work would help tackle coastal erosion which has led to the closure,  until March 2026, of a section of the Southwest Coastal Path in the area.

The plan is part of the trust's "shifting shores" policy, as well as a local shoreline management plan.

It would see the "managed realignment" of the shore in the short term - up to 2025, followed by an indefinite period of no active intervention, it said.

In a statement to Dorset Council, it stated "managed realignment allows the shoreline to retreat or advance in a controlled and managed way".

it continued: "No active intervention allows nature to take its course either on undefended coast or by the removal of current defences."

It is believed the current defences are "locking in" sediment behind the beach which, once the defences were removed and following a period of rapid erosion, would naturally replenish the beach.

The trust's agent said: "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 beaches' future."

A beach cafe which operated at the site for more than 70 years was removed by the National Trust in 2023 due to erosion, with a temporary replacement opened in a nearby carpark.

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