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Home , Isle of Portland, Lulworth Cove, Lulworth Ranges, Poole Harbour, Portland Harbour, RM Poole

Dorset Marine and Coastal Topic Paper Series 2010 Military Activity

There is a long history of military use of ’s coast. Historically, the most significant site has been the naval base at Portland, established in the 1840s. The port is now privately owned and managed by Authority Limited however the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are a major user of the port and other military activities continue including magnetic ranging at Newton’s , Weymouth and noise, ranging off Grove Point, Portland. Three significant military facilities, the Army Gunnery School based at , the training wing based at and the Training Area, remain long term commitments. Offshore, the coastal seas are used for some naval exercises. This topic paper summarises the current position of military activity on the Dorset Coast.

Use by the Armed Forces Commandos. The wing use 7.4 metre, fast Rigid Historically, the first military development on the UK defence policy demands the maintenance of Raiders and Landing Craft of 13.5 and 27.4 metres. site at Poole was in 1942, with the creation of capable armed forces, under the responsibility Most of the afloat activity takes place within Poole , Coastal Command. of the Ministry of Defence (MoD). In meeting Harbour, although Bay, , In 1944 the site transferred to Transport this requirement, the military require and Portland Harbour may be used Command and was then handed over to the residential bases, and access to adequate . RAF Station Hamworthy formally facilities for exercise and training. Dorset ceased to exist on 1st May 1944 and during the continues to play its part in fulfilling the MoD’s Second World War the site was known as HMS requirements by hosting three significant Turtle and was used by the Royal Navy for military establishments, which represent long- training personnel for the D-Day Landings. In term commitments: 1954 the site was taken over by the Royal Marines. DTE – Lulworth Gunnery School provides live firing and tactical training to meet the needs of The Wyke Regis Training Area is part of the the Army. The ranges cover more than 2,830 Defence Training Estate South West. It comprises hectares of land to the east of Lulworth, and a three sites: defined sea danger area which extends up to six 1. A small-arms range on the northern side nautical miles offshore between Lulworth Cove of the Fleet with a safety area that and St. Aldhelm's (St Alban's) Head. Lulworth extends across and out to Ranges have been a feature of the coast since sea. The range is typically used for 150 the First World War. taken from Portland, days per year and sentries are posted Copyright: Dorset Coast Forum when it is live to police the footpaths and Assault Group Royal Marines, based at Poole for exercises. offshore area. RM Poole is the home of the Landing Craft 2. A camp and rifle range at which is Specialisation and 148 (Meiktila) Forward One of the new unit's roles is to parent all the Royal used for markmanship training and for basic Observation Battery Royal Artillery. Their job is Marine Assault Squadrons: 6 Assault squadron Royal fieldcraft and patrolling exercises. to direct from ashore gunfire from Navy ships to Marines (ASRM) in HMS Albion and 9 ASRM in HMS 3. Verne Yeates on Portland which is used for ensure maximum accuracy. Royal Marines of all Ocean. bridging and signals training. ranks come to Poole to be taught how to operate the boats of the Royal Marines

Dorset Marine and Coastal Topic Paper Series 2010 Military Activity

Substantial offshore areas are marked on charts QinetiQ was also involved in and other January 1998. as Navy exercise areas. Dorset’s coast has been maritime defence equipment development, but this Royal Fleet Auxiliary Ship at Portland Harbour. used for naval training for many years but the aspect has now been transferred to Atlas Elektronik, Copyright: Dorset Coast Forum closure of the Naval Base and relocation of the which retains an interest in the Short and Acoustic Navy’s sea training unit has led to a substantial Ranges on the in Portland Harbour. Portland Harbour is still used by the military. The decrease in use. The Navy advises that surface Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service (RFA), a civilian use by warships is much reduced, and the main Navy at Portland: A brief history and current focus for exercise is now off South and position extending out to the Atlantic. Ships Portland offered a natural anchorage for sailing will be found on passage and continue to warships since the late 1500s but acquired greater conduct independent exercises off the Dorset strategic significance in the mid 19th century when coast. The Navy advise that submarine exercises the French naval base at Cherbourg was extended. are now extremely rare off the Dorset Coast The first of the breakwaters was constructed in 1872 and consider that this aspect can be discounted. and then, the remaining two were completed in 1894. The improved shelter provided by the Defence research breakwaters made Portland harbour an increasingly Aside from direct use by the armed forces, parts popular anchorage, particularly for the Channel of the Dorset Coast have been used for defence Fleet. The base remained important throughout the research and testing for many years. This work 20th century until the 1990s, when the Navy opted to previously undertaken by the Defence close it due to budgetary pressures. Flag Officer Sea Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) is now Training (FOST) organisation, responsible for co- manned fleet owned by the Ministry of Defence, undertaken by QinetiQ, a Public Limited ordinating the Navy’s sea exercises was relocated to supply warships of the Royal Navy at sea with Company which operates the MoD Test and Plymouth in 1995 after over 40 years at Portland. fuel, food, stores and ammunition. The RFA Evaluation Ranges under a 25 year Long Term The base closed in 1996 and was sold to Portland Wave Ruler, RFA Bayleaf and other ships are Partnering Agreement (LTPA) with the MoD. Harbour Authority Limited (PHAL). The Navy handed regularly berthed for maintenance and to collect QinetiQ, an international defence and security over harbour authority responsibility to PHAL on 1 supplies. company has offices at Hurn, Winfrith, Christchurch, Bincleaves in Weymouth, Grove RFA Sir Tristram, an ex-navy warship support Point (Old Coastguard Lookout) and Portland vessel, is now permanently moored in on the . The Winfrith offices Harbour and is used by the military for operate the MoD Acoustic and Magnetic Sea helicopter, diving and ordinance operations. Ranges within the limits of Portland Harbour (RNR) Divers Branch have and a The Land Magnetic Facility at Portland used RFA Tristram for part of a course Bill. specialising in Underwater Force Protection

Dorset Marine and Coastal Topic Paper Series 2010 Military Activity

(UWFP) & Search techniques, where they learnt conservation committee meets on a six-monthly how to lay and carry out underwater searches. basis to advise the MoD on management practises.  Archaeology - The abandoned village of Military boat in Weymouth Harbour. Copyright: within the Lulworth Ranges is a The Noise and Magnetic/ Degaussing Ranges Dorset Coast Forum uniquely interesting site. The use of are within the Harbour limits. munitions, the clearance of some wrecks and The sea danger areas restrict recreational boating other military material from the seabed and Managing the Impact of Military Activity and fishing during weekdays outside the main exercises in general, can result in damage to Past military activity has had a significant holiday periods, and during 6 weekends each year. historical material, if the significance of the impact on the coast. Reclamation to build the The school maintains an emergency pollution plan, site is not recognised. Portland Tank farm was at the expense of the and radar coverage of the offshore danger areas,  Coastal Defence - No significant interactions. Mere, an area of tidal . The history of which is integrated with the Coastguard and HM  Educational Use - No significant interactions. use of hazardous materials means that possible Customs.  Fishing - MoD activity may impact on fishing contamination of land and sediments remains through limiting access within range areas. an issue, although intrusive Land Quality The main possible impact of RM Poole is from the Surface exercise is a cause of concern due to Assessment Reports and Explosive Ordnance use of fast boats within busy waters in Poole the potential for propeller damage to fixed investigations have been routinely carried out Harbour. The lead responsibility for managing the fishing gear during vessel manoeuvres. by the MoD prior to the sale or release of sites harbour lies with Commissioners. Submarine exercise potentially conflicts with in recent years. Whilst the MoD are not subject to harbour authority the use of trawling gear. The Navy Where military activity continues it has the powers of direction, good liaison with the managers undertakes management of fisheries beyond potential to impact significantly on the coast. of the harbour remains the most effective means of the 6 nautical mile limit by means of the Because MoD activity on the Dorset Coast is avoiding possible conflicts. Outside the harbour RM Fisheries Protection Squadron, which is well-established, its impacts are generally well Poole give rise to limited impacts in the areas where under the direction of Defra and the MFA. understood and management arrangements are they operate. MoD consider that the most significant  Geology and Geomorphology - Military in place to mitigate them where possible. The impact is from loading and unloading of vehicles activity can restrict access to important most significant impact is that of the RAC from landing craft. However such operations are geological sites, such as the Forest at Gunnery School at Lulworth. Safety rarely carried out in Dorset. Good liaison Lulworth. requirements mean that public access to the arrangements exist between the Wyke Regis Training  Landscape & Seascape - Buildings, signage coast within the ranges is not permitted for Area and Chesil and the Fleet Nature Reserve. and structures associated with military land much of the year. Access to designated paths use may have impacts on the landscape. (the Range Walks) and beaches is permitted Integrating Military Activity within Dorset’s Coastal  Marine Aggregates - No significant during the main school holiday periods. Zone interaction. Military activity need to be integrated with the other  Maritime Industries - QinetiQ represents an Limited public access and reduced agricultural uses and activities within the Coastal Zone where important part of the maritime industry activity within the ranges has had some wildlife possible, its potential impacts, and the key questions within Dorset, and has a world class benefits through reduced disturbance. A range they raise are: reputation for marine and naval technology.

Dorset Marine and Coastal Topic Paper Series 2010 Military Activity

 Oil & Gas - The offshore ranges are a minor important role in providing visitor facilities and constraint on exploration activity. managing pressures.  Pollution & Environmental Quality - MoD  Biodiversity - Chickerell is designated as a Site of establishments have the potential to create Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), as are areas of pollution in the same way as civilian Verne Yeates. Lulworth ranges are within an residential and commercial property, and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and are also are required to meet national an SSSI. Overall MoD management in Lulworth environmental legislation. The most Ranges is considered to benefit wildlife by obvious impact of military activity is noise providing effective ‘reserve’ status. Some (from firing, watercraft or helicopters), aspects of conservation management, such as which is unavoidable, but often mitigated grazing, conflict with military use. Munitions by the timing of activity. The presence of from the ranges are a source of seabed litter. unexploded munitions on the seabed is a The potential impact of underwater noise from further hazard. MoD activity is an area of increasing interest.  Ports & Shipping - Interactions have MoD craft add to the pattern of craft disturbance reduced following the closure of Portland in Poole Harbour, particularly when navigating in naval base. The Navy remain a potential excess of the harbour speed limit. customer for Dorset’s ports, whilst naval shipping in the Channel takes place Contributors to the Paper: alongside commercial traffic. Magnetic and  Jon Wilson, Defence Estates Safeguarding, MOD noise ranging will also lead to some  Sandie Wilson, Portland Harbour Authority restrictions on activities. Limited  Recreation & Tourism - Military activity is a constraint on recreational/tourist use of coastal land and water within and adjacent to army and navy property, and within the offshore ranges. Restrictions include that to public access within the Lulworth Ranges, water use within the offshore danger areas, and restrictions on diving and watercraft within some areas around Portland Harbour. Land within the Ranges is, however, a popular attraction to visitors when open, and at these times MoD has an