A £4.5 million project to recharge Swanage’s Main Beach with more sand and to build a new groyne made of rock, is now on track for 2028, to help protect the seafront from flooding.
It was agreed at a Dorset Council cabinet meeting on Tuesday 3rd March 2026 to contribute an additional £190,000, so it could get a further £4 million in government grant funding to enable the work to be done.
The sand level currently lies at the toe of the seawall on the right
“Seawall could fail as early as 2029”
Due to sea movement, sand naturally drifts north from The Mowlem towards Ocean Bay, and if there was no intervention, it would leave the beach very depleted of sand and the seawall very exposed at the town end of Swanage Bay.
Once the level of the sand drops, it stops protecting the seawall from the destructive force of waves, ultimately damaging the structure and reducing its effectiveness as a sea defence. In the Dorset Council report it said:
“The 2023 asset condition survey by JBA Consulting revealed that without active intervention, the seawall could fail as early as 2029, leading to accelerated erosion and significant damage to the town.”
This refers to the seawall promenade from The Mowlem to Ocean Bay, running parallel to Shore Road.
There is a separate scheme under consideration to prevent flooding along the stretch of the seafront at the south end of the bay between The Mowlem and the lower High Street towards Swanage Pier. It is hoped the funding for this south section of the seafront will be approved by the Environment Agency by summer 2026.
Wooden groynes help prevent the sand shifting too quickly north
The seawall has been eroded over the years but raising the sand level will help protect it
More than a century of work to keep Swanage sandy
The last time the beach was replenished with sand was in 2005/6 and now more than 20 years later it is due to be done again.
Over the decades there have been several man made interventions to ensure Swanage retains its beautiful sandy beach.
- 1904: Seawall built along Shore Road between The Mowlem and the Ulwell stream outfall (Ocean Bay)
- 1920s: Seawall extended seaward during Shore Road widening, plus new irregular sections of seawall constructed along the North Beach cliff base
- 1929 to 1931: Wooden groynes installed along the beach to help stop the sand drifting northwards
- 1960s: Seawall extended along North Beach up to The Pines Hotel and more wooden groynes installed down to Sheps Hollow
- 1993: Banjo Pier was constructed as part of the Swanage Flood Alleviation Scheme diverting Swan Brook flood water away from the town centre
- 2005 to 2006: Beach recharge scheme with approximately 130,000 cubic metres of sand deposited on the beach and 18 new timber groynes installed to replace old ones, plus repairs to the seawall and access steps
Digger in action on Swanage Beach in December 2005
The beach was last replenished over winter 2005/6
Sand from the Isle of Wight
The latest project will involve dredging sand from the seabed near the Isle of Wight. This has to be done under licence to minimise environmental damage.
In the past, sand could be transported from other parts of the world but new legal requirements mean the sand has to be local, so Swanage won’t be getting new sand from the South of France!
In an operation that typically takes around two weeks, the sand will be deposited on the beach by diggers and heavy machinery.
Also part of the scheme will be the construction of a new groyne by The Mowlem, which will be made out of rock. This will project out into the sea creating a barrier, absorbing some of the power of the waves and helping to prevent it sending the sand northwards along the bay.
In other parts of Dorset, rock groynes have been constructed to create a new habitat for sea creatures.
The work will take place in conjuction with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council’s project to recharge its beaches during 2028. This will save on costs by coordinating the dredging operation.
A new feature to photograph will be a rock groyne jutting out to sea by The Mowlem
The structure will probably be similar to this rock groyne along the Bournemouth coastline
“A good news story for Swanage!”
Outlining the importance of this project at the Dorset Council cabinet meeting, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for place, Jon Andrews said:
“Swanage seafront is vital to the town’s protection, economy and community, but it faces growing risks from flooding and coastal erosion.
“This scheme will strengthen our defences by replenishing beach levels, installing a new rock groyne and enforcing the seawall. The report recommends that we seek £4 million in external funding to deliver the project and safeguard homes, infrastructure and local businesses…
“We can, for such a little extra investment of £190,000, get £4 million worth of extra investment into Swanage. A good news story for Swanage!”
Swanage Beach around 1912 attracted the crowds
The beach in July 2025 is still a prime Dorset tourist attraction
“Ensuring tourism for Dorset”
Speaking in the meeting, councillor Gary Suttle who represents Swanage on Dorset Council said:
“The potential of a £4 million grant is essential to guarantee this work is carried out. I’d like to say this isn’t just about Swanage, although it remains a must-go destination. It is an integral part of the overall attraction of Dorset as a tourist destination.
“In maintaining Swanage Beach and sea defences, I believe we’re in fact ensuring tourism for Dorset overall.”
The power of stormy seas caused wave overtopping in January 2026
Flooding left storm debris strewn over the seafront near The Mowlem in February 2026
Work expected to start January 2028
Following the funding approval by Dorset Council, the scheme will go to the Environment Agency for consideration.
All being well, from April 2026 to December 2027, planning will take place and designs produced. These will be available to view as part of a future public engagement event.
Once planning permission has been granted, the beach recharge and construction of the rock groyne is expected to take place from January to April 2028.
Further information
- Read the Dorset Council report about the Swanage beach recharge
