Long term plans for adapting and managing North Swanage in the face of coastal change, are being drawn up and residents are being invited to find out more at a drop-in session.
The event at The Mowlem Studio in Swanage, Dorset, takes place on Wednesday 4th February 2026 and people can come along anytime between 4 pm and 8 pm, with a presentation at 5 pm from an expert in geomorphology – the scientific study of landforms and change.
The latest landslip has blocked the path making it difficult to access Sheps Hollow from the town direction
Threatened by cliff erosion
In 2024, Dorset Council was awarded £3 million in government funding to deliver the Future Coast Dorset project.
The money has been split between North Swanage, and Charmouth in West Dorset, whose coastlines are both threatened by cliff erosion.
The project aims to trial effective methods to improve the communities coastal resilience and help them adapt to a changing climate.
The money will go towards enhancing infrastructure, improving beach access, developing and improving awareness of coastal risk and creating plans for the future.
The path is constantly getting more narrow
Soil and debris regularly fall down from the cliff
Give your views
The event at The Mowlem Studio will include a short presentation at 5 pm by Ross Fitzgerald associate director geomorphology at consultants Jacobs, plus a chance to find out more about the future plans and to give your views.
As part of the project, there’s also a series of walks and talks from Ocean Bay along North Beach to the bottom of The Pines Hotel, to engage local residents on the issues, led by Dorset Coast Forum project officer Sara Parker.
- Thursday 12th February 2026 at 11 am co-hosted by Malcolm Turnbull, Future Coast North Swanage community representative
- Wednesday 25th February 2026 at 9.30 am co-hosted by Malcolm Turnbull, Future Coast North Swanage community representative
The walks are free and there’s no need to book, just arrive on the date and time near Ocean Bay on Shore Road, and look out for Sara Parker.
Trees that were once up on the cliff are now on the beach making it hard to climb over the wooden groyne
Swanage’s future could be more ‘sand bags’ than Sandbanks!
“Coastal erosion will shape Swanage’s future”
Councillor Gary Suttle, one of Swanage’s representatives on Dorset Council, and Swanage Town Council member for North Swanage, said:
“Coastal erosion will shape Swanage’s future, so how we plan and react as a community is vital for all residents. I urge you to come to our event at The Mowlem.”
The Future Coast Dorset project will run until March 2027 and during that time it aims to deliver on a range of options to help Swanage and Charmouth communities take a significant step towards a resilient and thriving coastline for future generations.
Man-made interventions can detract from the natural scenery but have so far prevented the collapse of the hotel above
The traditional enjoyment of the beach is threatened by coastal change
Further information
- More about Future Coast North Swanage
