Purbeck Heritage Strategy 2010-2015

RBEC U K P

H E E R I TA G Thriving communities in balance with the natural environment Purbeck Heritage Strategy

Arne

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Message from the Chairman

This strategy sets out the framework for action by the Purbeck Heritage Committee over the next five years. It has been produced thanks to the input from a wide range of organisations and individuals, who have contributed to workshops and responded to an early consultation about the key topics to include.

Delivery of the strategy requires us all to work together – the role of partners is central to achieving this. The way in which partners have contributed to implementation of the previous strategies demonstrates that we can improve life in Purbeck and keep it special. As new opportunities become available, we need to be able to respond collectively to them in order that Purbeck may benefit. This strategy sets out issues to resolve and opportunities to grasp. It also provides a framework of policy and actions which can ensure that these issues are resolved and the opportunities taken, as well as allowing for adaptation to rapid and potentially unexpected changes in our environment and communities over the next five years.

Professor Vincent May Chairman

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Executive summary This strategy aims to guide the work of partners on the Purbeck Heritage Committee over the next five years, and build on the successes that have been achieved since the previous strategy was published. The Committee is a partnership of conservation, tourism and landowning organisations, together with local authorities. It works to build partnerships between organisations which conserve and manage Purbeck, raise resources through partnership working, and keep people informed of progress.

The format of the strategy has been changed to ensure that it complements the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan, and the main chapter headings reflect this. The Purbeck Heritage Committee is also now the Environment Task Group for the Purbeck Community Partnership, and the document makes reference to priorities contained within that plan.

The topic chapters in the strategy are: • Landscape • Historic and built environment • Biodiversity • Land management and local products • Geodiversity • Accessing, enjoying and learning • Coast and Sea

Each chapter includes a description of the resource, followed by issues and opportunities, which have been identified following a number of workshops to which a wide range of organisations were invited. Links to the Dorset AONB and Purbeck Community Plans are given. Actions relating to each chapter are collated at the end of the document.

Each action will be delivered through a partnership of different organisations, with contributions ranging from volunteer time, financial support or specific skills or advice. The success of the strategy will depend on the involvement of the partners as no individual organisation can deliver all the actions.

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Contents

Message from the Chairman 3 5. Coast and Sea 26 Executive summary 4 Description of the Resource 26 Issues and Opportunities 27 1. Introduction 6 Links to AONB / Purbeck Community Plans 28 1.1 Background 6 1.2 Achievements since 2002 6 6. Historic and Built Environment 29 The Purbeck Keystone Project 6 Description of the resource 29 A. The Natural Landscape 7 Historic development of the Purbeck landscape 30 B. The Cultural Landscape 7 Issues and Opportunities 31 C. Outdoor Learning 7 Links to AONB / Purbeck Community Plans 32 Other achievements by the Committee and its partners 7 7. Land Management and Local Products 33 1.3 Recent legislative and national changes 8 Description of the Resource 33 1.4 The scope of the Strategy 9 Viability of traditional farming and fishing 33 1.5 Community Involvement 10 Quarrying and mineral extraction 34 1.6 Role of Partners 10 Issues and Opportunities 34 1.7 The structure of the Strategy 10 Links to AONB / Purbeck Community Plans 35 2. Landscape 11 8. Accessing, enjoying and learning 36 Description of the resource 11 Tourism 36 Landscape Culture 18 Transport 37 Issues and Opportunities 18 Recreation 38 Links to AONB / Purbeck Community Plans 19 Learning and Community Engagement 39 3. Biodiversity 20 Links to AONB / Purbeck Community Plans 41 Description of the resource 20 Location of actions included in Important species 21 Purbeck Heritage Strategy 42 Issues and Opportunities 21 9. Action table 43 Links to AONB / Purbeck Community Plans 23 Key to Partners 55 4. Geodiversity 24 Description of the Resource 24 Bibliography 56 Issues and Opportunities 24 Appendix 57 Links to AONB / Purbeck Community Plans 25

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the area, including traffic congestion, erosion The Committee produced its first strategy in 1. Introduction of paths and damage to wildlife sites and 1995 and a second one in 2002. Both 1.1 Background effects on the quality of life for residents, strategies set out a vision for the work of the particularly those living in small but popular Committee and were developed through Purbeck has an outstanding landscape, villages. extensive consultation. Proposals contained in stunning coastal scenery, wealth of wildlife, these strategies have been implemented and attractive towns and villages. The The Purbeck Heritage Committee was through partnership working. The most countryside and the cultural and historic established in 1993 in recognition of the fact successful example of this is the Purbeck heritage of the towns and villages of Purbeck that no one organisation had the Keystone Project. are the basic resource which underpins the responsibility for dealing with these issues. Considerable changes have taken place since quality of life for residents and enjoyment of The Committee is a partnership of the last strategy was published, and this the area by visitors. In recent years, the conservation, tourism and landowning revised strategy takes these into account. This increased use of the car and more recently organisations, together with the local chapter outlines the progress made climate change are impacting on the area. authorities. It does not undertake projects in implementing the previous strategy, changes Purbeck is relatively accessible from the its own right, but works to: in legislation and funding opportunities that south-east, being within two hours drive of • Build partnerships between organisations have occurred, and the purpose and scope of around 15 million people. It attracts large which conserve and manage Purbeck; this strategy. numbers of people: just under 2 million visitors each year (438,000 staying visitors, • Raise resources through partnership 1.2 Achievements since 2002 1.5 million day visitors, South West Tourism, working and the development of funding Value of Tourism 2005). The combination of bids; The previous strategy contained proposals for greater mobility by local people and visitor the themes of conservation, economic and • Keep people informed of progress. numbers results in a number of influences on community development, enjoying Purbeck (tourism and recreation), and transport. Substantial progress has been made in the majority of these areas, although transport is one area where much work remains to be done.

The Purbeck Keystone Project Undoubtedly the biggest achievement has been securing and implementing a Heritage Lottery Fund Landscape Partnership Scheme grant. This grant of over £1.4 million, with matching partnership funding and volunteer time, has enabled over £2 million of projects to be implemented. The Project has been administered by Council Purbeck Ridge

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term aim is to remove scrub and manage C. Outdoor Learning the grassland. A fencing grant scheme • A Teachers Guide to Purbeck has been has been initiated with grants offered to produced, and website completed (see several land holdings. Bibliography) • 4 farm apprenticeships have been • Cycle awareness events have been held undertaken (2 in partnership with Dorset for schools and the public. County Council), and a careership warden appointed by the National Trust. • Smugglers’ Ways () leaflet has been launched. Leaflets for • Training days have been undertaken on Stone carving at Burngate Stone Centre Commoners’ Ways (Kingston / Corfe) bird, plant and butterfly surveying. A and Quarrymans' Ways (Langton wetland bird survey has been carried out Matravers / Acton) have been produced. which acted as the lead partner, and and practical conservation days numerous other partners including the organised. • A virtual field trip of five quarries in Purbeck is being produced. Environment Agency and Dorset Area of • Monthly local produce markets have Outstanding Natural Beauty have contributed been held by Purbeck Products • Family cycle events have been held at funding. Projects have been carried out under Co-operative. Wareham Forest. three main themes:

A. The Natural Landscape B. The Cultural Landscape Other achievements by the Committee and its partners • A number of farms along the River Frome • The Burngate Stone Centre has been have been involved with feasibility work opened at Langton Matravers, and • – funding secured and the development of Water Level established as a limited company (see for the implementation of a £5.5m Management Plans. Three water level Bibliography). Workshop spaces have project to restore and management plans have been been created, and recreational stone create an exciting new interpretation implemented, and a further plan covering carving days and courses offered. centre for Durlston and the eastern end of the . three holdings has been initiated. • A dry stone walling centre has been Management for nature conservation has opened at Durlston Country Park, which • The South Purbeck Integrated Transport been increased, by enabling more control has hosted dry stone wall training events. (SPIT) project has delivered a variety of over water flows. Winter and summer bird A programme of dry stone wall walking and cycling initiatives over four surveys are being undertaken to measure restoration has begun. years. This has included: signing the the effect of this work. National Cycle Network Route 2 between • Training in dry stone walling has been Dorchester and Norden, upgrading the • An oral history project looking at the provided for volunteers and apprentices. River Frome is under way. Purbeck Way walking route, improving • Internships in stone masonry have taken the footpath links between Norden and • Gorse clearance has been undertaken on place at Landers Quarry for both Corfe Castle, installing cycle racks and the Purbeck ridge, followed up by spot Canterbury and Salisbury Cathedrals. providing pay and display machines as spraying to reduce regrowth. The long

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part of a parking strategy for Corfe • A walking and cycling link was provided 1.3 Recent legislative and national Castle. The project also involved putting between Wareham Quay and Wareham changes in bunding along Ferry Road at Forest called the Northport Greenway. which has complemented the control of The two key changes that have had the overnight parking on the road achieved • Cycle hire has been available at Norden biggest impact on the development of this through the enforcement of a Road Traffic Park and Ride since 2009. strategy and the work of the Committee have resulted from legislation enacted in 2000. Order. In addition, the off-road • The Purbeck Countryside Guide has been They are the requirement to produce a Rempstone Ride cycle route between revised and reissued. Norden and Studland was signed and management plan for the Dorset Area of promoted locally. • Purbeck Aware programmes have been Outstanding Natural Beauty and a extended to last a month to encourage community plan for Purbeck District: • The and Purbeck Holiday people to visit the area when it is not at • The Management Plan for the Dorset Guide included inspected only capacity. accommodation from 2006. A new Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Green Tourism Business Scheme has • Following the success of Rempstone (AONB) was produced in response to the been promoted. Barns, Corfe Castle, the following new Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. • Durlston Astronomical Observatory built farm-based workspace schemes have The AONB Management Plan 2009-14 in partnership with the Wessex been developed: Rogers Hill Farm (Bere sets the policy framework for the whole of Astronomical Society. Regis), Bere Farm (Lytchett Matravers), the Dorset AONB (about 55% of Purbeck Pikes Farm (Organford), Sunnydown is designated AONB). The Purbeck • Swanage Museum was incorporated into Farm (Lytchett Matravers) and Currendon Heritage Committee co-ordinates the Swanage Heritage Centre during 2007 Farm (Studland). delivery of AONB policies in the Purbeck through a Heritage Lottery Fund grant. part of the AONB, while the • 14 Parish Plans have been produced. • Undergrounding of electricity cables has Heritage Committee and North Dorset taken place along Ferry Road, Studland • Swanage attained Market and Coastal Countryside Panel perform a similar task and Hartland Moor, thereby reducing the Town status in 2006 – this is the first step in other parts of the AONB. visual impact on the landscape. towards attracting funding from the South • The Purbeck Community Plan is a West Regional Development Agency. • The CoastlinX53 bus, linking with statutory document required by the Local Wareham and other destinations to the • The Dorset Heathlands Interim Planning Government Act 2000 to promote and west, has proved popular. Framework is providing a source of improve the economic, social and • Two new National Nature Reserves have funding for regeneration and provision of environmental well being of Purbeck. The been declared in Purbeck – Sandford Suitable Alternative Natural Green Community Plan 2009-2020 contains Heath and Durlston. Spaces which reduce the impact of seven main priority areas: accessibility; human activity on Dorset’s lowland community safety; housing for all; healthy • Durlston Green Flag status and renewal. heath. living; local prosperity; environment; and • A landmark feature was designed and • Six farm shops have opened in Purbeck, strong and active communities. The installed at South Haven Point, Studland together with a Saturday market on Purbeck Heritage Committee is the to mark the start of the South West Coast Wareham Quay (which complements the Environmental Task Group for the Path. twice monthly farmers’ markets). Purbeck Community Plan. The main

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Agreement identifies the economic, • A new organisation, Natural , social and environmental priorities for the has been created through the merging of Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole sub the Countryside Agency, English Nature region. and the Rural Development Service. Natural England aims to conserve and • The emerging Core Strategy will replace enhance the natural environment for its the Local Plan as the means by which intrinsic value, the wellbeing and development is accommodated within enjoyment of people and the economic Farmers' market, courtesy of Mark Simons Purbeck. prosperity it brings. • A Management Plan has been produced • A Tourism strategy 2008-13 for Purbeck priorities identified are: conserving and for the Dorset and East Coast has been adopted. enhancing Purbeck’s natural beauty and World Heritage Site which was landscape; improving local prosperity designated in December 2001. 1.4 The Scope of the Strategy without impacting on the special nature • Town and Parish Plans have been of the area; and encouraging people of This strategy provides a focus for action for produced for 14 towns and parishes in all ages to enjoy, access and learn about the work of the Purbeck Heritage Committee Purbeck. Some of the proposals Purbeck with minimum impact on the which is a Joint Advisory Committee between contained in these plans are feeding into environment. Dorset County Council and Purbeck District this strategy. Council, not a statutory authority. The As a result of these changes, the emphasis of • In land management terms, the Committee also has members representing this strategy has changed to focus on actions Countryside Stewardship scheme has conservation, tourism and landowning which will deliver the policies contained in the been replaced by the Entry Level Scheme organisations, as well as town partnerships. It AONB Management Plan in the Purbeck part (ELS) and Higher Level Scheme (HLS). will continue to work through influencing of the AONB, and the Environment proposals others to implement proposals. A key aim of contained in the Purbeck Community Plan. • A Marine and Coastal Access Bill 2009 the strategy is to coordinate the delivery of In addition, the following key changes have will deliver a new marine planning action to implement the Dorset AONB taken place over the last few years which system, create a new marine Management Plan in the Purbeck part of the affect this document: management organisation and give AONB. However, although the strategy is everyone a right to walk around the entire closely linked to the AONB plan, it covers the • The Dorset Community Strategy, agreed English coast. whole of Purbeck District, not just the area at a county level, forms the foundation • Rights of Way Improvement Plans covered by the AONB designation. This for the Local Area Agreement which enables it to also fulfil its function as the identifies priorities that all Councils in (ROWIP) provide a framework to achieve a more pratical, comprehensive and Environmental Task Group for the Purbeck Dorset (excluding unitaries) will work Community Plan. together to achieve. It uses National serviceable rights of way network Indicators such as: improved biodiversity throughout the District. measured by the percentage increase in • An Integrated Coastal Zone Sites of Nature Conservation Interest in Management (ICZM) strategy has just conservation management. A Multi Area been published.

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1.5 Community Involvement 1.7 The Structure of the Strategy chapter, the relevant objectives from the AONB plan and priorities from the Purbeck Communities have a key role to play in the The structure of the strategy has been altered Community Plan are listed, to illustrate how delivery of this strategy. Through the parish to bring it in line with that of the AONB plan. this strategy links to them. A table of actions and town planning process they identify what It is presented in two sections: from each chapter is included at the end of needs to be done in their town or parish. Natural Beauty and Heritage: this covers the the document. This includes references to the Other organisations can then assist with the qualities which make up the natural beauty of AONB management policies and Community delivery of actions contained in the plans, Purbeck and includes the following themes: Plan aims which would be delivered through through the Community Planning process. • Landscape the action. Additional columns in the action This strategy has pulled out actions which table list: timescale; lead and partners; and appear in several parish or town plans and • Biodiversity relevant topics covered. are relevant to the work of this Committee. Community projects the Committee supports • Geodiversity include those relating to the identification and • Coast and Sea conservation of boundaries (hedges / stone walls), ponds and allotments. Other actions • Historic and Built Environment relate to improving the way people can travel around the area, for example provision of Living, Working and Enjoying: this covers circular walks, Demand Responsive Transport activities that influence the natural beauty of (DRT) and provision of clear, parish based Purbeck and includes the following themes: timetables. Volunteers will also be able to • Land management and local products play a crucial role in helping implement the • Access, enjoying and learning actions identified.

1.6 Role of Partners Two chapters which are included in the AONB plan have been omitted. Planning, Each proposal will be delivered through a Development and Infrastructure is largely partnership of different organisations. A lead covered by the Local Development partner (or very occasionally partners) will Framework (the transport part of this chapter need to be identified. Partner contributions has been included within Access, Enjoying will reflect their sphere of activity: this could and Learning). Community Action has been include providing volunteer time, financial incorporated within the other chapters. Each support or particular skills or advice. The chapter includes an introduction to the topic, success of the strategy will be reliant on the outline of the current situation, and summary involvement of the partners, as no individual of issues and opportunities. This strategy does organisation will have the remit to deliver all not propose new policies, but aims to deliver of the actions. those contained in the Dorset AONB Management Plan and priorities listed in the Purbeck Community Plan. At the end of each Studland Post Office

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character areas in Purbeck and the table on Landscape condition. This is a technical 2. Landscape page 13 gives a flavour of each. For a full assessment based on judgements about the Description of the resource description the two source documents should physical state of the landscape, and about its be referred to: Conserving Character – intactness, from visual, functional, and Purbeck’s landscape including the coast and Landscape Character Assessment and ecological perspectives. It also reflects the cliffs reflects the diverse underlying geology Management Guidance for the Dorset state of repair of individual features and and is the most readily appreciated aspect of AONB, and Landscape Character Assessment elements which make up the character in any Purbeck’s environmental resource. AONBs and Management Guidance – Areas Outside one place. Landscape condition is defined as are designated to conserve their landscapes the AONB (see Bibliography). Key good, moderate or poor as follows: so it is important to understand why and how characteristics are given, together with the they are special, and how they are changing. main management guidelines proposed in • stable: where current and predicted the two documents. The final column shows landscape changes will not significantly The landscape of Purbeck District has been the actions proposed in this strategy to affect the condition of patterns of assessed and divided into 10 landscape manage that particular character area. landscape elements across the area types. Landscape types are generic and share Figure 1 on page 12 shows the Landscape • improving: where current and predicted common combinations of geology, Character Areas covering Purbeck. landscape changes will improve the topography, vegetation and human condition of patterns of landscape influences, e.g. clay valley or chalk ridge. Landscape Character Types (referred to in the features across the area Each landscape type has then been divided AONB Plan) are included in bold typeface. into “Character Areas” which are individual Each one is then divided up into character • declining: where current and predicted and discrete geographical areas areas. landscape changes will weaken the representative of the type, such as the Corfe condition of patterns of landscape Valley or Purbeck Ridge. There are 26 elements across the area.

Dancing Ledge

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Figure 1: Landscpe Character Areas of Purbeck

Bloxworth/ Chalk Ridge/Escarpment North Bere Charborough Regis Downs Downs Clay Valley Open Chalk Downland Limestone Plateau Wooded Pasture Mid Piddle Upton Valley Pasture Morden/Lytchett Heath Lowland Heath Rolling Wooded South Bere Farmland Lowland Heath/Forest Mosaic Puddletown/ Regis Downs Affpuddle Coastal Marshland Downs Sherford Valley Valley Pasture Pasture Ridge and Vale North Wareham Upton Bay Residential Areas Heath/Forest Marsh Bovington/ Lower Purbeck District Council/Purbeck Mid Frome Affpuddle Heath/ Piddle Heritage Area Boundary Valley Pasture Forest Valley Pasture Lower Frome Valley Crossways/ Pasture Winfrith Lowland Farmland and Heath South Dorset Downs South Purbeck Osmington Heaths Rempstone Ridge and Wooded Pasture Vale Chaldon Lulworth Downs Wooded Pasture Purbeck Ridge

Corfe Valley South Dorset Escarpment

Kimmeridge Purbeck Plateau Coast

Please note: the boundaries on this Purbeck D.C, Licence No. LA100022058, 2009 map are to be reviewed shortly

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Landscape Type and Landscape Action Description and key characteristics Management guidelines Character condition ref Area Chalk ridge / Escarpment The dominant feature of the Purbeck landscape – a steep sided, narrow ridge with dry valleys that Manage scrub encroachment which threatens the separates the heathland to the north and the Corfe viability of the chalk grasslands, and encourage Valley to the south. Prehistoric barrows occur on Good and Purbeck Ridge grazing where appropriate. Seek opportunities to PL2 the top, ancient woodlands on the north slopes and improving recreate, link and restore important grassland sites. chalk grassland along the southern slopes. Ancient Conserve tranquillity (being largely natural and sunken winding lanes lead to an open character free from intrusive man made noise and structures) towards the top. through the planning process (development control Only the eastern end, towards , lies in and Local Development Framework). On Purbeck South Dorset Purbeck. The escarpment has steep slopes with areas Moderate and Ridge, restore ancient woodlands which have been PB3 Escarpment of rough unimproved calcareous downland and thin declining planted with conifers. soils, ending in dramatic cliffs at the coast. Clay Valley A broad sweeping clay valley enclosed by the chalk ridge to the north and limestone plateau to the south. Villages are set within small woodlands on Moderate and Encourage extensive grazing and conservation of Corfe Valley the valley bottom, while around are small PL5 stable permanent pastures including calcareous and wet narrow fields of medieval and earlier significance. grassland. Encourage grazing on the chalk and Small scattered farmsteads are complemented by a limestone ridges to reduce scrub encroachment. network of dense hedgerows. Protect watercourses from soil erosion and the effects An area of dramatic coastal slopes and cliffs which of diffuse pollution. Manage existing hedgerows includes large, open coastal grasslands on a clay and encourage planting of new hedgerows where Good and landform enclosed by limestone cliffs. Stone walls removed in the past. PL5 Coast stable occur towards the Purbeck plateau and medieval field systems survive around Kimmeridge.

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Open Chalk Downland The Chaldon Downs comprise broad, open and rolling downlands, undulating chalk slopes and small PL4, Chaldon incised valleys. They contain regular hedgerows and Moderate and Restore and extend chalk grassland, broadleaved PL5, Downs occasional small woodlands in a mixed pastoral and stable woodland and calcareous meadows. Restore chalk PB3 arable landscape, and have an undeveloped, rural streams and important boundary features. Promote character. appropriate management of arable farmland to provide food and nesting habitat for arable wildlife, Dominated by broad open rolling downlands with and restore old hazel coppice stands. Restore PL4, South Dorset gentle convex slopes and small broad valleys. Moderate and ancient woodland sites by removal of conifers. PL5, Downs Small villages have a strong association with the declining PB3 agricultural estate character. Promote appropriate management of arable An open rolling arable landscape with some Puddletown farmland, restore old hazel coppice stands where PL4, distinctive folds. The chalk valley side slopes down Good to / Affpuddle appropriate, promote agri-environment schemes for PL5, to the river and the wooded plantation along the moderate Downs field margins and woodland and reduce impact of PB3 ridgeline forms the areas northern edge. horticulture. Address diffuse pollution issues. A large scale landscape with open views, and straight rural lanes bounded by thin, low hedges. Promote restoration of chalk downland and chalk PL4, North Bere There are numerous barrows, tumuli and drove Moderate to streams, appropriate management of arable PL5, Regis Downs roads. Bere Down is a local landmark. The area poor farmland, retain and protect archaeological features. PB3 forms the headwaters of the Bere Stream, part of which is SSSI and depends on good water quality. Promote restoration of heathland and chalk This landscape comprises open rolling arable fields. downland, management of arable farmland, restore PL4, South Bere Local landmarks of historic and wildlife value include Good to old hazel coppice stands, integrate woodland PL5, Regis Downs Black Hill and Damer Hill. A mix of heath, plantation moderate management and improve the integration of some PB3 and scrub occurs on the sandy soils of these hills. large scale agricultural buildings by appropriate planting. Address diffuse pollution issues. Management of arable farmland, restore chalk Open expansive landscape with hedgelined lanes. downlands and chalk streams, restore old hazel Estate parkland, mature parkland trees, lodges, coppice stands, encourage restoration of ancient PL4, / gateposts, walls and Charborough Park Tower are all Good to woodland habitats through conifer felling, promote PL5, Charborough characteristic of Charborough Park. Interconnected moderate planting of broadleaved trees through agri- PB3, Downs woodland blocks occur on the high ground, and environment schemes and explore opportunities for PA6 plantations include Bere Wood. increasing recreational use via permissive rights of way. Address diffuse pollution issues.

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Limestone Plateau A windswept open landscape with geometric stone Repair and maintain dry stone walls and protect walls of Medieval origin and occasional hedgerows. historic field patterns and features. Encourage The landscape is dotted with small quarries and grazing to reduce scrub encroachment on grasslands affords sweeping views of the coast and Purbeck Purbeck Moderate and and reversion of arable to grassland where PH5, ridge. Ancient field systems and strip lynchets Plateau stable appropriate (i.e. not in areas which support rare PB3 are features, together with linear and nucleated arable plants). Promote appropriate management of limestone villages. The southern coastline has arable farmland to create wildlife rich habitats. Avoid vertical limestone cliffs with headlands, caves and disturbance on cliff faces. cliff quarries such as . Wooded Pasture Enhance management of arable farmland to Lulworth Park comprises a parkland landscape and create a wildlife rich habitat. Replant species rich castle set within low rolling hills, with woodland hedgerow sections where lost, restore coppice where Lulworth PL4, blocks, pastures and fine stands of veteran trees. Moderate and appropriate and manage woodlands. Restoration of Wooded PL5, Several small villages are set within winding lanes stable grassland within historic parkland boundary. Restore Pasture PB3 and there are occasional barrows and traces of coniferous woodland to broadleaves. Remove prehistoric field patterns. Rhododendron.

Low rolling hills and a mosaic of pastures, Restore heathland through phased conifer felling woodland and dense hedgerows with trees typify this and introduce grazing to prevent further scrub landscape. It is bounded to the south by the Purbeck Rempstone encroachment. Replant species rich hedgerows PL1, Ridge and the north by heathland and plantations. Good and Wooded where lost and establish hedges and pasture trees, PL4, Isolated farmsteads are scattered within medium stable Pasture restore coppice where appropriate and manage PL5 sized fields around narrow winding lanes. Parts of woodlands. Mitigate against impact of increasing the area have high lichen interest on old woodland horsiculture especially on acid grasslands. and pasture trees. Promote tree and woodland management, manage Morden Narrow densely hedged rural winding lanes lined horsiculture, promote and enhance recreational / Lytchett with hedgerow trees and open views characterise this trails. Encourage agri-environment schemes PL4, Moderate to Rolling landscape, also networks of interconnected hedges and promote rural lane management. Promote PA6, good Wooded and woodland blocks. Key features include Morden and enhance recreational trails. Restore ancient PA9 Farmland church and the estate landscape at Lytchett Minster. woodland in Bere Wood and elsewhere. Restore hedges. Restoration of heathland remnants.

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Lowland Heathland A diverse, dynamic landscape with large tracts of Conserve and enhance heathlands through extensive open heathland and dense conifer plantations. grazing and restore heathland habitats where they Of outstanding wildlife interest with a variety of link with existing heathlands. Soften edges of existing South Purbeck Moderate and PL1, heathland habitats including wet valley mires and woodland blocks. Manage the impact of rising sea Heaths stable PCS4 bogs. Towards Corfe the area is more pastoral with levels through creation of flood marsh around Arne woodland along the eastern boundary, while reed Moors. Implement measures to conserve remoteness beds and salt marshes grade towards . and tranquility around Poole Harbour. Lowland Heath/Forest Mosaic Promote restoration of heathland and agri- Crossways Open expansive heathland areas offer wide views, environment schemes for heathland restoration, / Winfrith while dense hedgerows and small copses also occur. Good and arable field margins and hedge and woodland PL1, Lowland Conifer plantations form the northern backdrop to moderate management. Continue heathland management and PL5 Farmland & the area and there is flat pastoral farmed landscape seek to extend heath through restoration. Remove Heath in the west. Rhododendron. Characterised by a patchwork of heath, scrub, Promote re-establishment of open heathland PL1, conifer plantations and farmland, with wide views landscapes and management by extensive grazing. Bovington PL4, from open expansive heathland. Roads are straight Good to Remove Rhododendron, create diversity within / Affpuddle PL5, and fast, and the area is bounded by the Piddle and moderate woodland and increase opportunities for recreation Heath / Forest PA8, Frome Valleys. Recreational use and conservation and access. Promote agri-environment schemes for PA9 management are dominant. field margins, hedge and woodland management. North An undulating, open and expansive heathland Wareham landscape bounded by the River Piddle to the west Heath / and Poole Harbour to the east. Much of the area is Promote restoration of open heathland landscapes PL1, Forest, a patchwork of heath, scrub, forestry and farmland, Good to and promote extensive grazing. Retain tree screening PB5, (includes with conifer plantation and straight and fast roads. moderate around development sites. PA10 Sandford Morden Bog is a distinctive open landscape feature Heath, and and Woolsbarrow Fort and Woodbury Hill are key Holton Heath) local landmarks. Promote restoration of heathland and prepare and A fragmented mosaic of undulating heath, scrub, implement an Urban Fringe Landscape Management woodland / plantation and marginal farming, which PL1, Poor to Plan based on Beacon Hill and the Upton Heath Upton Heath includes part of the Upton Heath nature reserve. PL3, moderate Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Manage Plantation blocks are present and urban features are PB5 recreational opportunities in the area to increase visually and physically intrusive. access away from the SSSI.

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Coastal Marshland A flat, expansive marsh, mudflat and meadow Prepare and implement an Upton Urban Fringe landscape with an open and windswept character Upton Bay Good to Landscape Management Plan, manage woodland and wetland and meadow wildlife habitats. Scrub is PL3, Marsh moderate and marsh and enhance entrance features and developing along the urban fringes and the shoreline barriers. is deeply incised and sinuous. Valley Pasture The River Frome meanders through the flat valley Encourage reversion from arable back to floor and associated floodplain and terraces. Views pasture on the valley terraces, and conserve and are often extensive and there is a variety of wetland Lower Frome Moderate and restore remnant water meadow systems. Protect habitats, grading into coastal grazing marsh and PB1 Valley Pasture stable watercourses from sedimentation resulting from reed beds on the fringes of Poole Harbour to the soil erosion and the effects of diffuse pollution and east. Historic bridges, mills and the remains of St. consider extending wet woodland on the valley floor. Marys church and Bindon Abbey are features. Promote agri-environment schemes, conserve historic A flat, wide river valley flood meadow landscape environment features and promote river catchment with a meandering river channel. Woodlands define management plans (such as the draft SW River Basin Mid Frome the edges of the valley in places, with grazed small Good to Management Plan), promote tree and woodland PB1 Valley Pasture fields abutting the river. Other features include old moderate management, conserve and enhance historic bridge water meadow field patterns and ditches, and Wool crossings and conserve and enhance natural and Bridge and Woolbridge Manor. built environmental features. A flat relatively narrow valley floor with a meandering river channel and associate ditches Promote river catchment management plans (such Mid Piddle and channels. Small fields are complemented by a Good to as the draft SW River Basin Management Plan), tree PL4, Valley Pasture mosaic of trees and the river is crossed by narrow moderate and woodland management and improve public PA6 lanes on old bridges. This is an undeveloped and access. tranquil rural landscape. A flat intensively farmed landscape with a well Promote tree and woodland management, manage wooded river corridor and narrow hedge lined lanes. horticulture and undertake a whole river valley Sherford Lytchett Minster is the main settlement. The urban Poor to PL4, enhancement scheme to include improved access to Valley Pasture impacts caused by the road network, some poor moderate PA6 river corridor, improved recreational opportunities edges to settlements and horticulture detract from and increase landscape and biodiversity interest. landscape quality and result in fragmentation.

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Flat river valley flood meadow landscape with Carry out a Wareham Meadows Landscape meandering river and associated ditches and banks. Lower Piddle Moderate to management plan, manage boundaries, meadows PL1, Transport corridors are intrusive, but the remainder is Valley Pasture good and woodland, and reduce the visual impact of road PL4 largely an undeveloped landscape used for informal signage on the bypass. recreation. Ridge and Vale This comprises a series of small limestone ridges and clay vales running east to west and enclosed by the Osmington Encourage grazing on the inland limestone ridges South Dorset Escarpment to the north. Only a small Moderate and Ridge and and enhance management of arable farmland to PB3 part of this area lies within Purbeck. Boundaries are declining Vale create wildlife rich habitats. mixed – of stone walls, stunted hedges and with occasional hedgerow trees.

In some instances, the Landscape Character Landscape and Culture Issues and Opportunities Area goes into other districts. Where possible, Literary and artistic associations within Issues information on the Purbeck part of the Purbeck are often closely connected with the character area has been extracted, but for landscape. Writers such as Thomas Hardy • There are three character areas that are detailed information, refer to the source used the changes occuring in the countryside poor to moderate: Sherford Valley Pasture documents (see Bibliography). as a key part of his writing, and gave the (due to urban impacts, fragmentation The management guidelines give an name "Egdon Heath" for the heathlands in the and lack of hedgerow management); indication as to what is required to maintain novel "The Return of the Native". The village Upton Heath (due to urban fringe character areas in a good condition, or of Chaldon Herring is the setting for some of pressure and development); and North improve them to a good condition. In some the novels of T.F. Powys and sites within Downs (due to poor hedge instances this will require a continuation of Purbeck are also featured in Enid Blyton's management and a lack of management work that is already underway, for example books. T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) of trees and barrows). scrub clearance and grazing on the Purbeck lived at Clouds Hill, Bovington. These • Former areas of ancient woodland and ridge or maintenance of stone walls on the associations, together with many artists whose heathland have been planted with limestone plateau. Landscape condition can work reflects the landscape and wildlife of the conifers. assist in prioritising work that should be area, attract money and visitors to the area carried out, but it is equally important to and provide employment opportunities. • Development pressures for example from continue to maintain good landscapes as to tourism and recreation can impact on the improve poor ones. special quality of the landscape (as well as on biodiversity). • Scrub encroachment is an issue on a number of landscape types, but

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particularly lowland heath and open • Previous extensive planting of conifers chalk valley and downland. Much has had a significant effect on the Links to AONB / Purbeck progress has been made through Purbeck landscape and biodiversity, but Community Plans Heritage Lottery Fund schemes in recent years some has been removed (Tomorrow’s Heathland Heritage and the and heathland restored. The challenge is Dorset AONB Objectives: Purbeck Keystone Project), but the to continue this where opportunities arise. continuing challenge is to secure long Where ancient woodlands have been • Objective L1: Conserve and enhance the term sustainable management through planted with conifers, opportunities to special and distinctive character and grazing, which is becoming increasingly restore to broadleaved woodland should quality of the AONB’s landscapes and difficult. be realised. Occasionally the woodland associated features. is important in screening built • Stone walls and hedges were used as • Objective L2: Protect the AONB’s development. In these cases, phased boundaries to keep land stockproof, unspoilt panoramic views and tranquility replacement of conifers with broadleaved however where stock is no longer kept, woodland should be sought. Removed • Objective L3: Plan and shape the future and walls and hedges lack management, conifers should be used for timber, landscape to adapt to environmental their degradation can affect the condition wood-chip or fuel. change of the landscape and the wildlife which uses them. • The South West Nature Map (produced by the South West Regional Biodiversity Purbeck Community Plan priorities - • Fragmentation has occurred across Partnership) identifies the best areas in Environment habitats and landscapes - the challenge the region to conserve, create and is to restore this. 9.1 connect wildlife habitats at a landscape (a) Conserving and enhancing Purbeck’s Opportunities scale. It includes blocks of land known as natural beauty and landscape Strategic Nature Areas which will contain • Parts of Purbeck still have a remote feel, a mosaic of habitats and highlight (b) Improving local prosperity without for example the lowland heaths, and this opportunities for carrying out work at a adversely impacting on the special nature should be retained. landscape scale through restoration and of the area • Some of the District retains tranquillity / or re-creation. Strategic Nature Areas (c) Encouraging people of all ages to enjoy, through a lack of light and noise identified in Purbeck include limestone, access, and learn about Purbeck with pollution. Opportunities to retain and chalk and neutral grassland, lowland minimum impact on the environment enhance this should be sought through heath, coastal and floodplain grazing the planning process. and mosaic. There is a strong correlation Proposed actions relating to this chapter are between the South West Nature map (see included in the table at the end of the • Stone walls and hedges contribute to Appendix on page 57) and Landscape document. landscape character, are part of the Character Areas. heritage of the area and are important for biodiversity. Opportunities should be sought to ensure their restoration and management.

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• 195 Sites of Nature Conservation Interest with the “Dorset Biodiversity Strategy Review” 3. Biodiversity – which are wildlife sites of county and “Biodiversity Audit” produced by the Description of the resource importance including semi-natural Dorset Biodiversity Partnership. The audit habitat such as ancient woodland, small includes information relating specifically to Biodiversity refers to the variety of life. heath areas and grasslands. Purbeck. Since the previous strategy, a review Purbeck’s geological diversity gives rise to a of priority Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) range of soils which in turn support a wide Together, international designations cover habitats and species has been carried out – diversity of habitats and species. For example, about 20% of Purbeck. Figure 2 shows the details of these can be found via the UK BAP the 10 km square around Wareham has been location of designated sites. website (see Bibliography). recognised as the most botanically rich in the This strategy should be read in conjunction UK. This variety is reflected in the following conservation designations: Figure 2: International, National and Local Designated Sites in Purbeck • Four Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) of international importance for habitats and species: Dorset Heaths Purbeck District Boundary

(Purbeck and Wareham) and Studland AONB Dunes; Dorset Heaths; to Internationally Important Nature Conservation Studland Cliffs; St. Albans Head to Site (Ramsar, SPA, SAC) Nationally Important Conservation Site (SSSI, Durlston Head. NNR) Locally Important Nature Conservation Site • Two Special Protection Areas (SPAs) of (SNCI) international importance for birds: Dorset Heathlands and Poole Harbour. • Two Ramsar sites (wetlands of international importance): Dorset Heathlands and Poole Harbour. • Eight National Nature Reserves: Stoborough Heath; Hartland Moor; Studland and Godlingston Heath; Arne Reedbeds; Durlston; Holton Heath, Sandford Heath and Morden Bog. • Over 40 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which are designated for their nature conservation and / or geological interest. They cover 23% of Purbeck. Purbeck D.C, Licence No. LA100022058, 2009

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Sand lizard

Important species Harbour include breeding terns, wintering and changes in agricultural patterns. avocet, shelduck and black tailed godwits, as Freshwater habitats will become saline Purbeck also supports a number of rare well as the waterfowl assemblage. Water vole and it is not known where and when they species. Over 5% of the UK’s lowland populations, though nationally declining, are could be replaced. Even if we cannot heathland lies in Purbeck, but 56% of the fairly stable in Purbeck, while otter predict the exact impacts of climate sand lizard population occurs here. Birds of populations are recovering. change, we need to be taking a flexible international importance include woodlark, approach to planning which can deal Dartford warbler and nightjar on the heaths, with a variety of outcomes. and Dorset heath has a stronghold here. The Issues and Opportunities only UK sites for the heathland insects (Marine issues and options are referred to in • Pressures for development are still a key Purbeck mason-wasp and ladybird spider are chapter 5) issue, particularly with the proposal for in the District. Calcareous grasslands contain Issues an additional 2,750 houses in the other rarities such as the Lulworth skipper, Lytchett Matravers / Lytchett Minster area Adonis blue, early gentian and early spider • The impact of climate change in Dorset included in the emerging Regional Spatial orchid. Some species in decline are will include sea level rise – this is already Strategy (RSS). This is an early proposal, associated with arable land, for which the happening. Other effects will include tidal but an independent report by Footprint area around St. Aldhelm’s Head is a squeeze (habitats will be forced back as Ecology has raised significant concerns stronghold. These include plants such as sea level rises, and in some instances about the impact of the proposal upon pheasant’s eye and shepherd’s needle, there may be no space for them to move internationally important sites. If this mammals such as brown hare and birds like to alternate sites), flooding caused by proposal is included in the RSS, it will be skylark and corn bunting. Rivers and wetlands increased storm surges and winter the role of the Core Strategy of the Local attract important populations of wintering rainfall, changes in fauna and flora Development Framework to take this waterbirds, as well as ground nesting birds (higher temperatures result in species forward. such as redshank and lapwing. Species of moving north-eastwards and new species national/international importance in Poole are likely to arrive from the continent)

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• Ecosystem services: ecosystems provide otters have also been killed on the A35 • The Dorset Heathlands Interim Planning valuable services for people, such clean where the Sherford River goes under the Framework has been adopted by all air and water, good physical and mental road. These two sites have been identified Local Authorities in South East Dorset and health (through access to green spaces), by the Environment Agency as among the provides a good opportunity for new climate regulation and social benefits. An top three in Dorset requiring action. greenspace to be developed in the ecosystems approach is being proposed Means of enabling otters to cross the by- District. For any new housing for decision making. This would value pass safely should be investigated to development between 400 metres and ecosystems for the services they provide alleviate this problem. 5 km from a heathland Special Area of and ensure development remains within Conservation / Special Protection Area • Although hedges on agricultural land are environmental limits, through setting (SAC/SPA), a financial contribution is now rarely being removed, lack of ecological objectives for air, water, soil required from the developer which is management can reduce their value for and biodiversity. An example is the used to mitigate the adverse impacts of wildlife. Wareham Managed Realignment Case housing near heathland. A contribution Study produced for DEFRA which includes • Many ponds and ditches are not of £1,649 per house is currently required estimates of the economic value of managed, resulting in siltation and which funds projects both to provide changes in ecosystem services under the eventually their loss. attractive alternative sites for public options being considered. • Recreation pressures, particularly on countryside recreation and to improve visitor and access management of the • Deer populations in Purbeck have been heathlands in urban areas, the coast and heathlands themselves. Residential increasing and are now adversely marine environment. Impacts include development very close to a heathland affecting habitats such as saltmarsh and disturbance (e.g. dogs where ground SAC/SPA (within 400m) is not permitted woodland as well as crops. Well co- nesting birds occur), erosion and fires under the Interim Planning Framework. ordinated measures are required, with (e.g. on healthlands). landowners and others working • Forestry land has the potential to deliver strategically together. Opportunities new habitats, especially heathlands, and provide sources of wood fuel. • Lack of appropriate management, for • Agri-environment schemes have changed Opportunites to plant trees on example on heathland and chalk since the last strategy. Countryside appropriate sites should be sought. downland sites where a lack of grazing Stewardship is no longer available as an leads to scrub encroachment. Until option, and the new scheme comprises • Opportunities to re-connect sites and management solutions are found that are the Entry Level Scheme (ELS) and Higher habitats should be sought to secure sustainable in the long term (which Level Scheme (HLS). The HLS scheme is greater resilience to climate change. include managing the scrub and discretionary and by invitation. A number maximising grazing area), this will remain of large schemes have been delivered an issue. already in Purbeck. There are opportunities to make further use of the • Although the otter population is scheme, not only for biodiversity, but also increasing, there is a particular problem for resource protection, landscape by the Wareham by-pass where three interest, archaeological interest and otters have been found dead. Three access including education. Adonis Blue

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• Some minerals planning permissions • Recent research has shown that access to Links to AONB / Purbeck granted on internationally important high quality greenspace leads to Community Plans habitats such as heathland, before they improvements in both mental and were designated, have been reviewed physical wellbeing and a reduction in Dorset AONB Objectives: under the Habitats Regulations and crime, anti-social behaviour and the costs modified to remove any threat to of healthcare. • Objective B1: Restore, reconnect and international sites. Issues of manage terrestrial and freshwater • Although urban hedges may not be as compensation affecting operators and habitats and associated species at a biodiverse as those in rural Purbeck, they owners are in the process of being landscape scale to increase resilience to are still an important refuge for urban resolved. The Review of Old Mineral environmental change wildlife and need to be retained and Planning Permissions (ROMPs) aims to managed. • Objective B2: Retain the irreplaceable ensure that all old minerals permissions and restore and re-establish lost or are operated to current environmental • Whilst work has been carried out to declining features such as veteran / standards. There are outstanding ROMPs assess some aspects of carrying capacity ancient trees, species-rich hedgerows, at Masters Quarry (north and south), and (the ability of a place to accommodate orchards and ponds and their associated Hyde, Binnegar and Povington Pits. people), further work is required on species. environmental limits and monitoring, to When dealing with applications for ensure the unique environment of • Objective B3: Provide greater protection, mineral extraction in particularly sensitive Purbeck is maintained. conservation and understanding of areas, an Environmental Impact marine and inter-tidal habitats in and • The potential synergy between the type of linked to the AONB. Assessment would normally be required extensive grazing needed to manage to inform appropriate mitigation some of our best wildlife habitats and the measures and restoration. production of high quality, slow matured, Purbeck Community Plan priorities - • There are still major opportunities for known provenance meat is still not being Environment habitat restoration in Purbeck e.g. to fully exploited. 9.1 calcareous grassland, ancient woodland, • There will be a major opportunity to (a) Conserving and enhancing Purbeck’s heathland, wetland, coast, and there are restore hundreds of hectares of priority natural beauty and landscape further opportunities for funding some of habitat through managed realignment of (b) Improving local prosperity without this work through HLS. Poole Harbour. Although much of this will adversely impacting on the special nature be compensatory in nature there will be of the area an opportunity to help direct where this (c) Encouraging people of all ages to enjoy, should go and encourage a landscape access, and learn about Purbeck with scale approach through connecting and minimum impact on the environment buffering other important habitats. Proposed actions relating to this chapter are included in the table at the end of the document.

Red Devon cattle

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The underlying geology of Purbeck is while the Purbeck limestone has yielded the . Geodiversity extremely diverse and gives rise to the varied fossil forest near as well as Description of the Resource landscape and biodiversity. Over 120 million dinosaur footprints. The Upper Greensand is years of geological history are represented, famous for dense deposits of ammonites, and The term “geodiversity” encompasses the from the younger Tertiary deposits in Poole rare limestone deposits of a freshwater lake range of rock minerals, fossils, soils, Harbour to the older Kimmeridge clays. The have been found at Creechbarrow. Over 45 landforms and natural processes that make natural processes acting upon the rocks have species, mostly mammals, have been up the earth’s landscape and structure. resulted in world famous landforms such as recovered from the fossilised lake of which 12 , Durdle Door and Lulworth are new to science. The GCR also recognises Cove. In 2001, the coastline from Orcombe most of the coast as of national importance Point to the South West corner of Studland for its coastal geomorphology, Culpepper’s Bay was designated the first natural World Dish as a nationally important karst site Heritage Site in England – the Dorset and (where calcareous rock has been dissolved Coast World Heritage Site. over time) and three other locations as of national importance for their Quaternary Inland, the chalk ridge separates the older geomorphology. Important fossil mammals rocks to the south from the younger Tertiary have also been discovered in . clays and sands. The latter give rise to acidic soils which support heathland and its Purbeck’s geodiversity has sustained a broad associated habitats. The great diversity of range of human industries from Neolithic rocks underlying Purbeck has resulted in a times onwards. Purbeck stone played an varied range of soils which support a diversity important role in Roman and Medieval of habitats – see the biodiversity chapter for culture and has influenced the towns, villages more information. and historic buildings of the area, while ball clay has been utilised for centuries. The strata Purbeck has 7 Sites of Special Scientific also yield oil through Europe’s largest on- Interest designated for their geological and shore oilfield. In addition, the area receives geomorphological interest. There are also 18 over 120,000 outdoor learning visits each sites designated as Regionally Important year as a result of the great diversity within a Geological Sites (RIGS) for their scientific comparatively small area. The Purbeck importance, education value, suitability of Keystone Project has developed virtual tours access and historical significance. of RIGS sites for educational use, and worked with field studies groups in the District. Some of the geological strata are fossil rich. The Geological Conservation Review (GCR), Issues and Opportunities produced by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, recognises the Kimmeridge shale Issues as producing “some of the best preserved • Coastal sites are dynamic. The coasts are Late Jurassic marine reptiles ever found”, eroding and this has benefits in terms of Stair Hole, Lulworth Cove

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• The World Heritage Site Management Links to AONB / Purbeck Plan for 2009 - 14 links to AONB and Community Plans Community Plans and sets an important policy framework for the conservation Dorset AONB Objectives: and enhancement of geodiversity along • Objective G1: Conserve and enhance the coast. the geodiversity of the AONB and value • There may be opportunities for improved the contribution it makes to landscape inland access as approved gravel and character. stone sites are developed under the Fossil Forest, Lulworth • Objective G2: Increase awareness, Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Minerals understanding and appreciation of and Waste Development Framework. geodiversity in the AONB. providing new exposures and seeing • There is a risk of inappropriate fossil geomorphological processes in action, removal through lack of knowledge of but it has implications for access. fossil recovery techniques. Training on Purbeck Community Plan priorities - procedures for this for countryside and Environment • There are a number of locations along other professional staff could be a the coast where tensions exist between beneficial way of reducing this. 9.1 historic importance of a structure and (a) Conserving and enhancing Purbeck’s safety and geodiverstiy issues. Examples • There are opportunities to work with natural beauty and landscape include and Flowers Barrow. relevant organisations (local Dorset Public understanding of the scientific Important Geological Sites Group, (b) Improving local prosperity without importance of these locations needs to minerals planners, Dorset Countryside adversely impacting on the special nature be well described. Service, Natural England, the National of the area Trust and the quarry industry) to establish Opportunities a dinosaur footprint site in Purbeck that (c) Encouraging people of all ages to enjoy, can be accessed by educational groups access, and learn about Purbeck with • Although the coastal geodiversity is well and the public. documented and well known (for minimum impact on the environment example through the World Heritage • There is a need to display suitably a Site), the inland geodiversity is less well stunning collection of fossils from the Proposed actions relating to this chapter are known. Many of the most important and Kimmeridge area, which includes unique included in the table at the end of the used viewpoints provide extensive views finds. document. across landscapes whose characteristics • The fossil and historical finds collection at depend on the underlying rocks and Worth Matravers which is housed next to landforms. As coastal paths are heavily the Square and Compass Pub needs used, there may be opportunities to recording and displaying in a larger develop geodiversity trails which enhance facility. walkers’ understanding of their surroundings away from the coast.

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resolving conflicts of interest”. The whole Connections between the coast and sea are 5. Coast and Sea coastline is also designated as part of the numerous, for example marine fisheries Description of the Resource Purbeck Heritage Coast, which partly extends depend on intertidal areas for spawning and into West Dorset. nursery areas, while economically, local Purbeck has a stunning coastline and wealth communities owe their livelihood to fishing of marine biodiversity. The coastline from Old The marine environment off the coast of and tourism. Recreational use of the coast Harry Rocks to forms part of the Purbeck is very diverse, with a variety of generally requires access from the shore. The Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage habitats such as maerl beds (areas of surviving features which form the built historic Site, also referred to as “The Jurassic Coast”. unattached seaweed in shallow water), environment associated within the coastal Most of the coastal grasslands and dunes are seagrass beds and extensive areas of shallow fringe are considerably varied in nature and designated as being of national and sublittoral rock, such as the Kimmeridge date. These can include, for example, various international importance, and the whole Ledges. The area is important for bottle earthworks and associated features on the coastline falls within the Dorset AONB. About nosed dolphins and seahorses. Although the cliff-top, the site of an alum works at half of Poole Harbour lies within Purbeck, and marine and terrestrial environments are often Kimmeridge on the foreshore, widespread is managed through the agreed Poole considered separately, it holds no such features and remains associated with stone Harbour Aquatic Management Plan demarcation for wildlife - birds such as quarrying along parts of the coast and the (published in 2007), which aims to “promote puffins and guillemots are dependent on the various ship wrecks which are located the safe and sustainable use of Poole terrestrial clifftops for nesting, and the marine offshore. This selection serves to illustrate the Harbour, balancing the demands on its environment for feeding. range of archaeological sites which are natural resources, minimising risk and present in the coastal zone.

In recognition of the fact that the coastal area is complex, with terrestrial and marine interest and a wide range of individuals and organisations involved, a Coastal Corridor Action Plan has been produced for the whole of the Jurassic Coast. This aims to co- ordinate work and target the most important actions to maximise benefits and resources. It integrates a wide range of interests including access, biodiversity, historic interest, geology and management. Key actions from this plan which relate to Purbeck have been incorporated into the final section of this document, and are found under a number of the different chapter headings. Implementation will be co-ordinated by the Dorset AONB.

Puffins

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Issues and Opportunities • Tourism is a driver for the marine and coastal economy - the coast path, Issues beaches, sailing and diving all rely on a • The marine environment has traditionally high quality environment. Threats to this been considered in isolation from the would adversely affect the local economy. terrestrial environment. A new Marine Management Organisation will be Opportunities established to remedy this. The challenge • Marine Conservation Zones - a new type is to establish an overall system of of Marine Protected Area – will be Integrated Coastal Zone Management designated through the Marine and which secures the integration between the Coastal Access Bill and will replace land / sea interface. “A strategy for Marine Nature Reserves. The aim is to promoting an integrated approach to the provide areas of good quality habitat to management of coastal areas in help ensure the marine environment is England” published by Defra seeks to Studland dunes healthy and can continue to be progress this. productive for local inshore fishing businesses, without adversely affecting • A new right of coastal access is likely to Studland, coastal erosion has already led the local economy. be established through the Marine and to the beach huts being moved back Coastal Access Bill. several times in the last 25 years. Whilst it • The DORIS (Dorset Integrated Seabed • The numbers of kittiwakes breeding at is not possible to accurately predict future Survey) mapping project is ongoing and Blackers Hole and the cormorants at impacts, continued erosion will lead at covers an area of seabed from Durlston on the Purbeck coast have some point to the loss of car parks and Head to (also the C-SCOPE declined over the past few years. Further facilities here. Relevant organisations Project Area). This will result in greater monitoring and study should be carried need to work together to ensure that the understanding of the topography and out to ascertain the causes of this decline. area can continue to be enjoyed by habitats of Dorset's seabed and inform residents and visitors and that adequate the spatial planning process. • The level of boating activity at Studland facilities are provided to prevent damage • Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) are has led to concerns over the future health to the surrounding National Nature based on the study of natural coastal and density of seagrass meadows and Reserve. At Brownsea, sea level rise will processes. They determine sustainable their associated wildlife, including eventually cause the internationally coastal defence policies and set populations of both native species of important man made lagoon to flood, objectives for the future management of seahorse. Research into the sustainable leading to the loss of this important the shoreline. Purbeck is covered by two management of this area should be habitat. carried out. SMPs: the South Devon and Dorset SMP • The process of indentifying areas of reef (from Durlston Head to Rame Head), and • Long term planning will be needed to and assessing their suitability for Poole and Christchurch Bays (from Hurst address the impact of sea level rise and designation as SACs is currently under Spit to Durlston Head). The second round increased storminess at sites such as way. of SMPs are to be completed by early Studland and Brownsea Island. At

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2010. For a given stretch of coast, a seas by July 2012. Achieving this status Purbeck Community Plan priorities - number of options are considered, will mean limiting contaminants to the Environment including holding the existing line marine environment to levels which do 9.1 (continuing with coastal defences), not cause pollution. (a) Conserving and enhancing Purbeck’s managed realignment and no natural beauty and landscape intervention. The plans will need to Links to AONB / Purbeck address issues resulting from global Community Plans (b) Improving local prosperity without warming, in particular sea level rise, adversely impacting on the special Dorset AONB Objectives: coastal squeeze (where sea level rise nature of the area • Objective CS 1: Conserve and enhance forces habitats back into ever smaller (c) Encouraging people of all ages to enjoy, areas) and increased storminess. Website the coast and marine environment of the AONB through integrated management access, and learn about Purbeck with addresses for the two plans are included minimum impact on the environment in the Bibliography. One opportunity that recognises the links between land and sea. identified during the review of the plan Proposed actions relating to this chapter are • Objective CS 2: Support the natural has been the development of the included in the table at the end of the evolution of the coast, allowing natural C-SCOPE Project (Combining Sea and document. Coastal Planning in Europe). C-SCOPE coastal processes to operate where is funded through Europe and has been possible. developed with partners to build on • Objective CS 3: Maintain and enhance Dorset's role as the host of the 2012 the open and undeveloped nature of the Olympic sailing events. It will help to AONB’s coastal landscapes and manage the many pressures facing the seascapes. Dorset Coast. • Economic benefits from the coast include oil production such as that based at Wytch Farm. There is also the potential for tidal and wind power generation, and the challenge will be nationally to provide necessary energy while minimising impact on internationally designated sites. • The European Commission’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive aims to achieve Good Environmental Status in Europe’s seas by 2020. This will be a long term process which will start with an assessment of the current state of UK

Studland

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and barrows dating from the Neolithic and period). The town of Upton, situated within 6. Historic and Built Bronze Age are still evident. Later additions the north-eastern part of the district, largely such as medieval manors, farmsteads and developed during the twentieth century. Environment strip fields added to the landscape, and Description of the resource contributions have continued to the present Purbeck is distinguished by the use of a range The countryside of Purbeck has been shaped day. Purbeck has 3,941 entries listed in of materials for traditional building by natural processes and human activity on Dorset County Council’s Historic Environment construction and roofing. This reflects the the landscape. This has left a rich Record (HER) which was formerly known as varied geology and the presence of a archaeological and historical legacy. The the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR). significant extractive industry which continues nature of the historic environment is very There are also 260 monuments protected as today. The continued availability of locally variable and reflects the topography and land Scheduled Ancient Monuments (defined as a produced brick and Purbeck stone is unusual, use. For example, much of the heathland protected archaeological site or historic and contributes to the retention of local within Purbeck is thought to have formed as a building of national importance). characteristics in design and construction. result of cultivation of poor soils during the However, modern use of Purbeck stone has Bronze Age and there is significant survival of Both built and natural landscapes are sometimes extended beyond the areas within prehistoric earthworks. Chalk downland was essentially the result of human activity, and which it is characteristic, and it is important to similarly created as the Ridge was cleared, reflect traditions of use and development. promote use of materials in areas where they This contributes to a sense of place, identity, are characteristic and distinctive. character and local distinctiveness. These hold significant cultural value, help to The view of Corfe Castle in the gap in the underpin local economies and provide a Purbeck ridge is an iconic feature, while focus for community action. The built heritage traditional buildings of Purbeck stone or cob of Purbeck plays a key part in the identity of and thatch give rise to local distinctiveness the area. The best of Purbeck’s built heritage among the villages and form part of the is protected as Listed Buildings, of which there fabric of the countryside. The network of are 1414. In addition, 25 of the District’s footpaths and bridleways around Swanage historic settlements are designated as and Langton Matravers was largely Conservation Areas. There are also four sites developed through people travelling from designated through English Heritage’s their villages to work Purbeck stone in the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special quarries, providing stone for a variety of Historic Interest. buildings such as Corfe Castle. Other features such as Grange Arch and Clavell Purbeck includes a variety of historic towns Tower were built as follies. and settlements. These include the town of Wareham (which has origins as a Saxon Industrial archaeology is also important in burgh), Corfe Castle (where the settlement Purbeck. Narrow gauge tram railways were has origins associated with the medieval built across the heath for the ball clay industry Castle) and Swanage (a coastal resort which leading to sites such as Middlebere Quay, largely developed during the Victorian where clay was loaded onto boats. There are Corfe Castle

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fascinating cliff quarries at Durlston, • Mesolithic (c. 6,000 – c. 4,000 BC): • Roman (44 – c. 410): Purbeck stone was Seacombe, and Dancing Ledge Generally hunter-gatherer activity significantly worked during Roman times. where the remains of stone saw pits and other (indicated by the presence of early Part of the Dorchester to Badbury Rings structures and workings are still evident. The prehistoric flint work), some evidence Roman road can be seen around Bere western end of Brownsea Island was the site from elsewhere of managed clearance to Regis, and Roman villas have been found of a 19th century pottery works. North of attract game. at Bucknowle and Brenscombe. Romano- Greenlands Farm there are over 80 strange British settlements occurred at Kingston • Neolithic (c. 4,000 – c.2,400 BC): Long shallow circular saucer shaped features. Down and Knowle Hill. Iron Age barrows can be seen on the Purbeck Previously thought to be salterns, they are industries were developed (particularly ridge, for example at Nine Barrow Down. now being investigated as possibly being pottery manufacture) and became more Early farming and more clearance within associated with the alum industry (the organised, and trading more widespread. parts of the landscape. evaporation of saline water to produce Shale was worked at Kimmeridge and aluminium and copper salts for fixing dyes for • Bronze Age (c. 2,400 – c. 700 BC): there was a significant pottery industry local textile industries). The significance of the Many round barrows date from this south of Wareham. Increased trading Second World War structures in the District is period: there are 453 in Purbeck, with with the Continent. becoming increasingly recognised. These good examples on the Purbeck ridge. The • Saxon / early medieval (c. 410 – 1066): include: Fort Henry; gun emplacements on Rempstone Stone Circle is likely to have Development of a town at Wareham, Godlingston Heath; anti-tank blocks at been constructed during the Early Bronze where the town walls were constructed ; and single person machine Age. Farming extends into areas of and a grid-like pattern of streets gun points along the coast, for example at poorer soils leading to nutrient depletion emerged. Wareham St. Martin and Arne Worbarrow Bay and Seacombe. and the creation of heaths around Poole are good examples of Saxon churches. This environment has inspired historical Harbour. Field systems develop and some Many of the settlements in Purbeck also figures, writers and artists. was trade with the continent. have early medieval origins. used as a frontispiece for Hardy’s Wessex • Iron Age (c. 700 BC - 44AD): Four hill Poems, and the inspiration of “The Black forts are known in Purbeck: Flowers Tower” by P.D. James. Enid Blyton regularly Barrow, Woolsbarrow, Woodbury Hill and visited Purbeck and used Corfe Castle as the Bulberry Camp. Other features from this inspiration for Kirrin Castle in her “Famous time include settlements at Five” books, whilst “Mystery Moor” is and Knowle Hill. Farming continues and reputedly based on the heath between Blue larger field systems develop, including the Pool and Ridge. example at The Warren, near Chaldon Herring. There was large scale industrial Historic development of the activity over much of the district, Purbeck landscape concentrated around Wareham, Poole Harbour and the . This • Palaeolithic (< c. 6000 BC): Apart from included pottery manufacture, shale occasional finds of stone axes, which will working and salt making. More trade with have been redeposited, little else is the Continent. currently known. Saxon town walls

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• Medieval (1066 – c. 1500): A wealth of 1666, and stone walls were built on the the First World War and of radar during evidence from this period remains limestone plateau. Water meadow the Second World War at Worth including the Norman built Corfe Castle, systems were established along the Frome Matravers. Defences including numerous the Romanesque church at Studland, a and Piddle valleys. pill boxes were installed around the variety of abandoned settlements coast, for example at Studland. The • Victorian/Industrial (c. 1800 – 1913): (including Holworth and Coombe creation of the Forestry Commission in Quarrying continued, and much of Keynes), and strip lynchets (for example 1919 to provide a supply of timber Swanage was developed from wealth at Worth Matravers). Part of Purbeck began the process of conifer planting on generated by the stone industry. Artefacts formed a Royal Chase from this time and the Purbeck heaths. Tyneham village was from London were brought to Purbeck in Bindon Abbey was also established. Strip requisitioned in 1943 to be used for boats as ballast. The arrival of the railway fields around villages such as East military training. Much land was ploughed enabled Swanage’s popularity as a Lulworth are of medieval origin and many for the first time to “dig for victory”. Post seaside resort to become firmly churches also feature medieval additions. war, ploughing of former downland and established. Follies such as Clavell Tower long-established grassland intensified. • Post-medieval (c. 1500 – c. 1800): The and Grange Arch were built. Durlston major estates which cover much of Castle was built in 1886 by Swanage Purbeck developed from this time, along local man George Burt and is dedicated Issues and Opportunities with their associated residences (such as along with its landscape to Swanage Issues Smedmore and Encombe houses). The town. deer park at Lulworth was established • There is a lack of skilled craftspeople to • War and inter-war (1914 – 1945): during this period and carry out traditional work such as stone Purbeck was the focus of significant was built as a hunting lodge. Quarrying working and thatching that are military activity such as the development intensified as Purbeck supplied stone to characteristic of many historic buildings. of armoured vehicles at Bovington during rebuild London after the great fire of • Lack of management of archaeological sites can result in scrub and tree growth which can damage the features of interest (especially buried remains). Many ancient monuments now occupy landscapes managed very differently from their original setting, most notably sites which lie within conifer plantations. • Some features are being lost through natural erosion, e.g. Flowers Barrow is gradually being lost to landslips resulting from coastal erosion. • There is a significant group of structures which relate to the defence of Britain during World War Two. These include a

Thatched cottage in Purbeck

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variety of pill boxes, anti-tank defences, district. Although consent is required to anti-aircraft emplacements, and radar carry out works to Scheduled Ancient Links to AONB / Purbeck facilities. Many of these features were Monuments, agricultural activity can Community Plans built using the most readily available sometimes be permitted and this means materials. A Defence of Britain Survey that even nationally important Dorset AONB Objectives: organised by the Council for British monuments can still be at risk of • Objective H1: Conserve and enhance Archaeology (CBA) has recorded many of continued degradation. the historic environment and built these remains, although inclusion on the • Long term lack of maintenance can lead heritage of the AONB, recognising the Historic Environment Record is also to listed buildings being placed on the historic character of the landscape as considered to be important. Buildings At Risk Register. well as the irreplaceable features set • Ploughing can have a significant within it. • The loss of some archaeological / detrimental effect on archaeological sites historical sites is threatened by climate • Objective H2: Increase knowledge, and this is widespread across parts of the change (for example, due to future sea understanding and involvement in the level rise). historic environment.

Opportunities Purbeck Community Plan priorities - • There is a significant opportunity to Environment support research by partners into 9.1 industrial archaeology and the features (a) Conserving and enhancing Purbeck’s associated with world wars. natural beauty and landscape • In the future, the core strategy of the (b) Improving local prosperity without Local Development Framework for adversely impacting on the special nature Purbeck will focus on locally distinctive of the area policies. (c) Encouraging people of all ages to enjoy, • There are opportunities to make detailed access, and learn about Purbeck with recordings of sites threatened by sea level minimum impact on the environment rise before they are lost and to add this information to the Historic Environment Proposed actions relating to this chapter are Record. included in the table at the end of the document. • The restoration of the Grade II listed Durlston Castle. • Land holdings that contain monuments can benefit from HLS (Higher Level Scheme) grants as part of a multi- objective agreement.

Briantspuddle

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National Trust, Butterfly Conservation, into smaller units of under five hectares, and 7. Land Natural England and the RSPB have offices this can have an impact on the landscape. At here due to the quality of the environment. the other end of the scale, medium sized Management Average earnings in Purbeck at £443 per farms have been amalgamated to form larger and Local Products week are below the national average of farms. Much of the area is owned by large £459, and house prices are high, making estates. There is also an increased demand Description of the Resource Purbeck one of the least affordable places to for horse paddocks which can put pressure live in the country. Lack of affordable housing on pastures, especially around settlements. Farming, forestry and nature conservation is a key issue which many organisations are Horses and ponies can be valuable grazers of (much of which requires extensive agricultural trying to address and is identified as a priority conservation sites, but over-grazing can grazing for it’s maintenance) are major land in the Purbeck Community Plan. Agriculture damage the biodiversity and landscape uses in Purbeck. Over much of the area, and forestry account for 2.8% of jobs in value. stock dominates, with arable mainly in the Purbeck (the national average is 0.9%) and north and west of the district. Commercial there is virtually full employment (1.8% Agri-environment schemes offer farmers forestry is concentrated at Rempstone, unemployment in October 2009). payment for carrying out conservation Wareham and Affpuddle Forests. Some management work. The schemes now offered smaller semi-natural woodlands continue to are the Entry Level Scheme (ELS) and Higher be coppiced. Viability of traditional farming and fishing Level Scheme (HLS). HLS funding is discretionary. ELS grants provide a lower level The outstanding landscape and environment Land management in Purbeck is dominated of funding than Countryside Stewardship, so of Purbeck attracts companies seeking a by stock farming over much of the more as Countryside Stewardship agreements quality environment and benefits many marginal areas. Dairy farms have continued expire, some farms will have reduced existing businesses. Organisations such as the to decrease. Some holdings have been spilt incomes. Currently 47% of Purbeck is covered by agri-environment schemes. This is not evenly distributed across the district – there is 90% coverage in Kimmeridge parish and 89% for Chaldon Herring parish, while Wareham St. Martin has 9% and East Stoke 14%.

Redundant agricultural and other buildings can provide a unique opportunity for diversification and employment use. Good examples include Rempstone Barn, Currendon Farm and Rogers Hill Farm near Briantspuddle.

Grazing sheep

• Web: www.purbeck.gov.uk • Reception: 01929 556561 33 Purbeck Heritage Strategy

Demand for local produce has continued to of Swanage is built of Purbeck stone, as well Issues and Opportunities rise and this has been reflected through the as many of the villages such as Corfe Castle. opening of six farm shops in Purbeck and The issues relating to the Review of Minerals Issues thriving twice monthly farmers markets at Permissions (RoMPS) are outlined in the • The growth in local products is hampered Wareham. A monthly local produce market is biodiversity chapter. by a lack of local processing facilities organised by the Purbeck Products Co- such as abattoirs, and this is not likely to Operative. Three meat processing facilities Through the work of the Purbeck Keystone change in the future due to economic have been established in Purbeck, and at a Project, the Burngate Stone Centre has been reasons. county level, local produce is promoted opened at Langton Matravers to provide • Farm employment has continued to fall. through the Direct from Dorset brand. training courses on stone working. The aim is Demand for local produce has been driven to ensure that the existing masonry and stone • The impact of the Marine and Coastal by health, an interest in reducing food miles working skills present in Purbeck can be Access Bill on the fishing industry in and a desire to know the provenance of retained and a new generation of experts Purbeck has not been quantified. produce. The increased cost of food and fuel trained. • Community facilities such as libraries, appears to be reinforcing this interest. At a schools, shops and post offices often community scale there is increased interest in Ball clay and oil are also extracted from the form the heart of a local community, but growing local food for example through area - Wytch Farm is the largest onshore oil are often threatened. Support for the renting allotments. field in western Europe, extracting 25,000 retention of existing services is required. barrels of oil per day from the Poole Basin. A small fishing industry operates in Purbeck, Sand and gravel are also widely extracted, • An ageing workforce, particularly in land with vessels at Swanage and . particularly in the area between the Frome based work, will result in a loss of skills Local fishermen have protected the marine and Piddle Valleys. unless action is taken. environment off the Dorset Coast for many generations. Legislation prohibits further expansion of the coastal fleet. The Marine and Coastal Access Bill will replace Sea Fisheries Committees with Inshore Fisheries Dry stone walling, Durlston and Conservation Authorities: it is not known what the impact of this will be in Purbeck.

Quarrying and mineral extraction Quarrying of Purbeck stone (limestone) has taken place in Purbeck since Roman times, and the area has given the rock its name. Quarries at Langton Matravers, Acton and Kingston provide local employment and a source of local building stone, which has given the area its local distinctiveness. Much

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Opportunities • The Dry Stone Walling Centre at Durlston • Visitor Payback Schemes - piloted by provides opportunities for training on Durlston Country Park / World Heritage • There is a need to build on and expand traditional dry stone walling skills. Site Trust could be successful. existing skills and specialisms through training. The establishment of the • The new café at Durlston Castle will use Links to AONB / Purbeck Burngate Stone Centre will assist with this or sell local produce. process, but other opportunities need to Community Plans • Deer management in the Poole Harbour be developed. Work experience area is leading to availability of venison Dorset AONB Objectives: opportunities could be offered through as a local product which could be the restoration of Durlston Castle. • Objective LM1: Maintain and promote promoted across the District. the skills, practices and businesses that • Restoration of former quarry sites to • The continued provision of stone and deliver sustainable management of the appropriate uses such as heathland or farming apprenticeships will enable countryside, coast and sea. wetland habitats offer an opportunity to traditional skills to be retained in the enhance biodiversity. • Objective LM2: Support production and area. processing and increase markets for • Reuse of existing redundant buildings can • There is potential to expand and harness environmentally sustainable local be a sustainable way of providing markets for wood fuel, from arisings from products. workspace, maintaining Purbeck’s built heathland management and restoration, heritage and providing an income. • Objective LM3: Improve the and through sustainable management of Opportunities to diversify the rural management and conservation of soil broadleaved woodlands. economy should be encouraged. and water resources. • The increased demand for allotments • Opportunities for locally grown produce could be met through new provision. Purbeck Community Plan priorities – are expanding. Local Prosperity 8.1 (a) Developing an enterprise culture Grazing deer supporting business starts and raising productivity levels (b) Support for local businesses, services and producers (c) High quality local employment opportunities (d) Improved infrastructure (e) Skills development

Proposed actions relating to this chapter are included in the table at the end of the document.

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number of visitor attractions which attract the level of competitiveness of visitor facilities 8. Accessing, thousands of visitors each year – details for (physical infrastructure and personnel skills). some of these are given in Figure . Seven headline projects have been proposed enjoying and on which resources will be focused during the learning The Purbeck Tourism Strategy seeks to ensure next five years. The following three are of a balance between the needs of tourism and particular relevance to this strategy: Description the local community, and minimise any • Improve visitor information via signage at Tourism negative impact caused by tourism activity. It key locations; has a guiding principle of protecting the Purbeck has a great deal to offer both unique environment. The two key strategies • Increase participation in national residents and visitors – from walking the are to increase spend per trip and increase accreditation schemes; and South West Coast Path to discovering the the number of staying trips through improving cliffs of the World Heritage Site by boat, from having cream teas in traditional villages to diving by Swanage Pier, from visiting the Figure : Visitor numbers at selected sites 007 many attractions to cycling the Rempstone Ride. Visitors come to enjoy the special Purbeck District Council and Purbeck Heritage qualities of the area – the wider countryside Area Boundary of the Dorset AONB together with the Jurassic A1 Figures established on * B075 Coast. The combination of countryside, coast car park numbers Bere Regis Lytchett A50 Matravers and built attractions means that there is  Figure not supplied A5 something for all ages and energies to enjoy. Clouds Hill Farmer Upton Palmers B90 Holton Poole Purbeck attracts around 438,000 staying trips 1,900 79,500 Heath and 1.5 million day visits each year – they Monkey spend approximately £140 million and World Bovington  Sandford Brownsea  Poole support around 14% of jobs in the District. Harbour Island Changes over the last few years have A5 Wareham 15,9 included: increased use of the internet for Wool Shell Bay- A51 information finding and booking; an increase Studland Bay 1,000,000 in short breaks; demand for activity holidays; B071Lulworth B070 Blue Pool and a decline in domestic tourism (British Castle Studland  5,795 Corfe B51 people visiting within the UK, particularly for Castle West Swanage Swanage Lulworth 1,000 main holidays). Local people are generally Kimmeridge Railway Museum and Heritage Centre supportive of tourism, appreciating the Lulworth Cove  B069 01,58 9,500* Putlake 6,86 benefits it brings to the area, but the negative Adventure impacts include traffic congestion, particularly Farm  Durlston during school holidays but also on sunny Country Park 00,000 winter weekends. Purbeck also contains a Purbeck D.C, Licence No. LA100022058, 2009

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• Work with key stakeholders to alleviate available to the other members of the congestion issues via extended bus household. Cycling and walking have the services, additional park and ride potential to be used to a greater extent for facilities and improved signage. shorter, functional journeys by residents and visitors. Against a background of significant changes in tourism organisations both within the UK The Isle of Purbeck is almost an island, the and in the South West, a new tourism main exits being the A351 and the Shell Bay partnership is being proposed for Dorset. Swanage steam train to Sandbanks ferry. Throughout the district, From 2009/10, South West Tourism will no access routes are few. The ferry links to longer be a membership organisation nor services at Sandbanks, from which Brownsea derive income from commercial activity. As a to encourage participation from communities Island can be accessed. The limited network consequence, within the various Destinations across the UK. means that closures due to maintenance or (usually counties or key cities) of the South accidents result in severe traffic congestion West, new Destination Management Transport for all road users. This impacts on the local Partnerships / Organisations have been economy, transport connections and leads to formed where they are not already in A variety of forms of transport are used in severe delays to bus journeys. There are existence. Whilst each Destination has a Purbeck. There is a good train service currently no bus lanes in Purbeck. different structure, the common aim of these between Waterloo and Weymouth, stopping new partnerships / organisations is to bring at Holton Heath, Wareham, Wool and The car is the dominant form of transport in private and public sector together in a more Moreton. Swanage Railway operates diesel Purbeck, and likely to remain so. Over 85% effective way. In Dorset, a Destination and steam trains between Swanage and of journeys into Purbeck and over 76% of Management Partnership called Destination Norden, and the long term aim is to leisure journeys within Purbeck are Dorset, is now fully operational. reconnect to the main line at Wareham. Bus services include a mixture of routes operated undertaken by car. This results in considerable traffic congestion at peak periods. Particular A draft Business Plan for Destination Dorset commercially or subsidised by the County pressure points include: has been drafted with the following key areas Council, and free bus travel in Purbeck is now of activity: to improve the quality of the available to all residents of England aged 60 • Shell Bay and Studland, with queues for tourism product; drive forward initiatives to or over or registered disabled. The X53 the ferry; ensure more sustainable tourism practices; CoastlinX bus service between Poole and improve research practices; and leverage Exeter has proved very popular and some • Corfe Castle (particularly traffic leaving Dorset more effectively in terms of marketing other frequent services have been relaunched Studland on the B3351 and turning north activity. The Partnership will provide a with simpler timetables, but elsewhere, many onto the A351); platform for joint initiatives with other villages, tourist attractions and holiday • Roads through Wareham used in Councils and the private sector in Dorset in accommodation sites either have limited or preference to the by-pass; areas of work where partnership working will no bus service. This makes accessing achieve greater impact, efficiencies and essential services difficult – 17% of • The A351 between Wareham and the effectiveness. Opportunities may also arise households have no access to a car, and Bakers Arms roundabout. through the Cultural Olympiad, which aims where there is one car this is not always

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Recreation Figure 4: Annual average daily traffic flows in Purbeck - 2001 and 2007 Walking and cycling are undertaken both as Purbeck District Council a means of transport within the District and as 15 and Purbeck Heritage a recreational activity. Walking also benefits Area Boundary A31 Bere mental health. Key routes are shown in 2001 Annual Average Regis B3075 1 Daily Flows (Thousands) 11 Figure 5. A linking network of walking routes Lytchett A350 12 Matravers is available including the South West Coast 1 2007 Annual Average 14 A35 Daily Flows (Thousands) Path, Purbeck Way and Wareham Forest Way. 5 Shorter routes include the Wareham Two 20 Upton B3390 5 Poole 20 Holton Rivers Walks, Lawrence of Arabia Trail and 6 Heath 8 various heritage trails. Walking is recognised Sandford as a healthy form of exercise and is being 10 11 A35113 Poole promoted through GPs as a way of improving A352 14 Harbour Wool Wareham the fitness for people who have been inactive A352 for some time or are recovering from surgery. The network of footpaths and bridleways in 9 10 A351 B3071 Purbeck is extensive and maintained by B3070 11 B3351 Studland 12 2 3 Dorset County Council in partnership with West Corfe 7 8 landowners. A Rights of Way Improvement Lulworth Castle Plan has been produced for the county B3069 (subject to publication), which recognises a Swanage number of issues, particularly that of severance. This occurs where a route crosses Purbeck D.C, Licence No. LA100022058, 2009 a main road, making it difficult or unattractive to use: the growth of traffic in recent years has added to the problem. Figure 4 shows the annual average daily which people can walk and cycle from flows of traffic for the main roads in Purbeck, Norden, particularly to Corfe Castle. Cycling is a cheap and healthy form of together with data obtained for previous Swanage has high levels of self-containment transport which is well suited to short and strategies. Although figures have not due to its inaccessibility. This means that medium length journeys which are currently significantly changed on some of the roads, services are concentrated in the town and mostly undertaken by car. However, barriers on the A35 at Bere Regis an increase of 36% residents only travel out for facilities not to cycling include conflicts with other road has been recorded over 8 years, between provided there. The majority of people access users, steep hills, lack of segregated cycle 1999 and 2007. Swanage by car via the A351, which is lanes and safety risks. Whilst progress has Norden is the Park and Ride facility for regularly congested. It is therefore important been made, for example the development of Swanage and Corfe Castle. Links with the to retain infrastructure in Swanage such as the SUSTRANS National Cycle Route 2 Swanage Railway are good, however there hospital, rescue services, schools etc. which between Dorchester and Wareham, more are opportunities to improve the ease with minimises routine traffic along the A351. safe routes are needed if people are to be

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Although the majority of recreational pursuits Figure 5: Recreational routes in Purbeck do not adversely impact upon the environment, in recent years some activities have become more popular which damage South West Coast Path Purbeck Way Walk the countryside and are intrusive in terms of Purbeck Way West Walk noise and visual impact. The Purbeck Lawrence of Arabia Trail Heritage Committee is supportive of A31 A350 Wareham Two Rivers Walk Bere B3075 Wareham Forest Way Regis recreation that does not impact adversely on Purbeck Cycle Routes Lytchett the environment or detract from the Purbeck District A35 Matravers enjoyment of other users. Council and Upton Purbeck Heritage Holton Poole Area Boundary B3390 A351 Heath Learning and Community Engagement Sandford Poole Around 120,000 students visit Purbeck each A352 Harbour year, to experience the landscape, wildlife, Wareham geology, history and built heritage of the Wool A352 area. Numerous organisations provide A351 educational facilities and resources to enable B3351 B3070 Studland students to make the most of their visit. The Purbeck Information and Field Studies Group B3071 Corfe West Castle was set up by the Purbeck Heritage Lulworth Committee to bring together educational B3069 Swanage providers and co-ordinate outdoor education provision. Through the Purbeck Keystone Copyright Purbeck District Council. This map is for information Project the group has produced “The only and Purbeck District Council cannot guarantee its accuracy. Teachers’ Guide to Purbeck” as a paper and electronic document, to alert teachers to the exceptional educational opportunities and encouraged to cycle more. Proposals are climbing, riding, sailing, canoeing, fishing, facilities in Purbeck and assist in planning being developed for a cycleway on the A351 hang gliding and bird watching. A wide outdoor education visits to the area. between Bakers Arms roundabout and range of attractions complements these and Education focused work is also being carried Wareham. This has the potential to act as a includes Corfe and Lulworth castles, Swanage out by the World Heritage Team and Durlston recreational and functional cycle route, Railway, Monkey World, the Tank Museum Castle Project. linking Purbeck with other cycle routes, and and Clouds Hill. There are many accessible for use by commuters and school children. nature reserves including 7 National Nature Community groups and volunteers have had Reserves and 10 Dorset Wildlife Trust a key role to play within Purbeck: from the Purbeck offers a wide range of opportunities reserves, and other countryside based volunteers at Swanage Railway to the Friends for other types of outdoor recreation, attractions include Durlston, Brownsea Island, of Durlston. Volunteering has been including bathing, beach recreation, Blue Pool and individual farm attractions. demonstrated to have benefits on health and

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well-being and to contribute to thriving • Enjoyment of the area's beaches is the countryside, suggesting that barriers communities. There is scope for expanding adversely affected by the increasing exist which prevent inclusive enjoyment this and enabling volunteers to further problem of marine litter. and exploration of the area. The develop their skills. Involving the community challenge is to encourage quiet • Summer traffic flows on many roads may in a wide range of partnership work can be recreation whilst managing access so that be three to four times the annual average achieved through regular updates in local damaging recreational activities are daily flow. This impacts both on visitors to magazines, building up support for volunteers reduced and alternative sites and routes the area, local people and businesses, as and hosting regular “surgeries” in are made available. well as the punctual running of local communities to aid understanding of the local buses. environment and the management dilemmas Opportunities that land managers grapple with. • At Studland, gridlock is reached on hot • There is an opportunity to progress the summer days when cars significantly reconnection of the rail service between Issues outnumber parking spaces. Natural • Due to the rural nature of the area, Swanage and Wareham through the erosion of the car park at Knoll Beach resignalling proposed for 2012. provision of public transport in parts of will result in this problem becoming more the District is poor, particularly at severe in the future. • Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) is a evenings and weekends. Some areas are more flexible form of bus travel which not served at all, with staff and visitors matches the service more closely to the finding it difficult to reach large tourist • Lack of segregated cycle routes and customers needs. The challenge is to attractions such as Monkey World and safety concerns. ensure that visitors as well as residents the Tank Museum. • Many sectors of the population don’t visit can access such services. • Opportunities to support local facilities and encourage their use, so that communities can remain self contained and the need to travel is reduced. • High quality interpretation of the special qualities of the area should be promoted through techniques including those that are non intrusive in the landscape and appeal to a wide range of audiences. • There are opportunities to promote available transport more effectively, for example at Norden Park and Ride and at transport interchanges. • There is increased recognition of the benefits of volunteering and the role of volunteers, but they need to be given appropriate support. Durlston

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• The Dorset Countryside Volunteer Ranger Links to AONB / Purbeck alternative modes of transport to the car; Service are working closely with AONB Community Plans minimise the need to travel through and WHS – this is a resource and spatial planning; facilitate the opportunity for public involvement. Dorset AONB Objectives: improvement of strategic transport corridors; maximise the efficiency of the • Evaluate community engagement • Objective A1: All people are able to network; and minimise the environmental opportunities to help alleviate enjoy, experience, benefit and learn from impact of transport improvements. misunderstanding, provide opportunities the special qualities of the AONB in a to get involved, and develop an sustainable way. Proposed actions relating to this chapter are atmosphere of openness. For example, • Objective A2: Access and travel in the included in the table at the end of the community engagement will be essential AONB are managed within document. Figure 6 shows the location of in developing a coastal adaptation environmental limits. some of these actions. strategy for the Studland Peninsula. • Objective A3: The special qualities of the • There may be opportunities to provide AONB underpin a vibrant and distinctive additional walking/cycling routes as part sustainable tourism sector. of the restoration of mineral sites along the Puddletown Road. • HLS can offer opportunities for funding Purbeck Community Plan priorities - for permissive access and educational Accessibility access. 5.1 • Development of Durlston/Swanage (a) Make public transport a more effective shuttle bus service. and attractive option for accessing services, leisure opportunities, work and • There are opportunities to upgrade training existing bridleways to provide a better cycle network and reduce severance (b) Reduce the use of the car through provision of safer links through (d) Address gaps in public or community the Local Transport Plan process. transport • The availability of cycle training for (e) Improve the accessibility of vehicles children and adults, and opportunities to cycle for leisure and commuting should (g) Promote sustainable access to Purbeck be promoted and encouraged. through, e.g. cycle routes, circular walking and cycling routes from transport interchanges and centres for tourism (h) Implement the Purbeck Transport Strategy (i) Implement planning policies that: make safe provision for all road users; promote Train at Wool

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Figure 6: Location of actions included in the Purbeck Heritage Strategy

Develop safe off road routes - PA8

Re-open rail line as access route - PA17

A31

Bere B3075 Regis Identity SANGS - PB5 Lytchett A350 Matravers A35 Urban Fringe Landscape Frome and Piddle Management Plan - PL3 Water Management Plans - PB1 Upton Holton B3390 A351 Heath Poole Deer management initiative - PB4 Promote walking, cycling and riding - PA10 Sandford Arne Poole A352 Harbour Seek ferry as coastal Wareham access route - PCS2 Wool Seek safe otter A352 crossing - PB6 Develop Coastal Heathland Adaptation Strategy - A351 Landscape B3071 PCS4 Support re-opening Project - PL1 B3070 Norden of rail link - PA14 B3351 Studland Purbeck Ridge Corfe Project - PL2 West Seek display Castle Lulworth facilities for fossil collection - PG3 Kimmeridge B3069

Enhance management Swanage Support local of hillforts - PH3 Develop Burngate facilities - PA5 Stone Centre Norden - PLM5 Durlston Castle Project • develop circular routes - PA7 • develop geological trails - PG5 • develop as transport interchange - PA11 Develop a • heritage trails - PCS3 • develop cycle route - PA23 Limestone Plateau • monitor seabirds - PCS11 Purbeck D.C, Licence No. LA100022058, 2009 • work up action plans - PA11 Project - PB9 • support proposals for shuttle bus - PA13

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Action Plan

Purbeck AONB Community Relevant Proposal Lead and Action Management Plan Policy Timescale topics number Partners Policy / National covered Indicator (NI) LANDSCAPE Work up a landscape scale project to secure the extensive management and landscape enhancement of the heathlands and associated habitats between Studland and Lulworth. This may include conifer removal, habitat L1a NT, NE, PL1 creation, installation of cattle grids, extensive grazing with 9.1(a) 2013 PL, PB, PA B1a RSPB, cattle and ponies and appropriate siting of broadleaved MOD, AONB woodland. Appropriate recreational opportunities will be identified.

Develop and seek funding for a Purbeck ridge project, to build on the grassland management work implemented PKP, NT, 9.1(a) through the Purbeck Keystone Project. This may include landowners, 9.1(c) PL2 archaeology, improved access and interpretation and L1a 2010 DWT, AONB PL, PA 9.2(a) local food / producers initiatives, together with targeted Pastures New, 9.2(e) advice, management through fencing and grazing, and FWAG capital equipment (for gorse cutting, stock handling etc). Prepare and implement an urban fringe landscape management plan for Upton to improve the landscape and biodiversity around the settlement, and provide PDC, 9.1(a) & (c) PL3 recreational opportunities. Identify potential funding L2b 2011 NE, PL 9.2(a) & (b) through the Dorset Heathlands Interim Planning landowners Framework.

Draw up a register of coppice woodland in Purbeck and encourage management (coppicing, hedge laying and NT, 9.1(a) PL4 hedge management). Link with the development of wood LM1b 2010/11 landowners, PL, PB, PA 9.2(a) & (e) fuel markets. DWT, Woodlink

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Dorset AONB, NT, Work up a hedge management project with the Dorset B2a PL5 9.1(a) 2011 landowners, PL, PB, PA AONB to improve the biodiversity value of hedgerows. L1a FWAG, WDDC Target agri-environment schemes to deliver maximum Landowners, PL6 benefits for the landscape, biodiversity and historic LM1a 9.2(a) Ongoing PH, PB, PL NT, FWAG monuments. Implement measures to conserve the remoteness of the No loss of AONB, NE, PL7 L2c southern shore of Poole Harbour. remoteness PDC, PHC Where opportunities arise, remove eyesores to restore the As SEPD, PHC, PL8 quality of the landscape e.g. through undergrounding of L2b opportunities AONB power lines. arise AONB, PHC, Work with the AONB to deliver the Parish Landmarks PL9 L1d 2014 DAPTC, PDC, Project. DC BIODIVERSITY Continue to promote the development of water level PKP, management plans along the Rivers Frome and Piddle Landowners, PB1 to deliver Biodiversity Action Plan targets and develop B1a 9.1(a) Ongoing PB, PL NE, EA, favourable habitat for wildfowl and wading birds. AONB

Work with Purbeck District Council to produce a Biodiversity Action Plan for the Council and ensure PDC PB2 2012 PB that biodiversity is given due regard across a variety of disciplines. Ensure links with the county strategy.

Support the Dorset Arable Project to target surveys and FWAG, PB3 habitat enhancement for farmland birds and rare arable B1a 9.1(a) 2009 DERC, RSPB, PB flora for which Purbeck is a hotspot. AONB

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Poole Basin Deer Develop a co-ordinated deer management initiative, Management to reduce the impact of deer on habitats including Initiative, PB, PCS, PB4 B1e 9.1(a) 2009 saltmarsh, mires and woods, and contribute to local RSPB, PLM produce availability. NT, MoD, landowners, NE, AONB

Develop an agreed map which identifies current habitats (including heathland) and opportunities for creating PDC alternative sites to attract people. Use this as a basis (Planning) for seeking sites to regenerate or develop as SANGS 9.1(c) NE, RSPB, PB5 B1f 2010 PB, PA (Suitable Alternative Natural Green Spaces) using the 9.2(b) NT, DWT, heathland mitigation funds to divert pressure away from WDDC, the heaths. Contribute to the production of a green AONB infrastructure plan for Purbeck.

Seek to enable otters to cross the Wareham bypass safely EA, DCC, PB6 B2a 2012 PB to reduce the numbers of otter road deaths. PHC, DWT

Work with land managers and agencies to assess the B1g PHC, NT, NE, PB7 environmental limits of sites in Purbeck, and use this 2010/11 PB, PCS, PA A2b RSPB, AONB information for visitor management purposes.

DWT, Support the Purbeck Ponds Project, to restore existing 9.1(a) Landowners, PB8 B2a 2009-2011 PB ponds and create new ponds for wildlife. 9.2(a) PDC, NT, AONB DC, PHC, Develop a Limestone Plateau Project to enhance and 9.1(a) NE, NT, PB9 recreate limestone grassland to complement the coastal B1a 2011 9.2(a) AONB, grassland Special Area of Conservation. FWAG

Work with Woodlink to develop a woodland project B1a PB10 which restores ancient woodland and provides public 9.1(a) 2013 AONB LM2a access.

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GEODIVERSITY Artsreach, DC Seek to establish a dinosaur footprint site in Purbeck that PG1 G2a 9.1(c) 2012 (Durlston), PG, PA can be accessed by educational groups and the public. WHT

Encourage better virtual or actual access to Regionally LGAP, PKP, Important Geological Sites (RIGS), including the PG2 G1b 9.1(c) 2013 WHT, DIGS, PG, PA geological strata exposed in one of Suttle's Quarries so NT, STC that the strata can be studied by educational groups.

Museum of Jurassic Seek suitable display facilities for unique fossil collection Marine Life, PG3 G2a 9.1(c) 2012 PG, PA from the Kimmeridge area. Steve Etches, Smedmore Estate, WHT?

Seek opportunities for improved inland access to As 9.1(c) DCC PG4 geological exposures where mineral extraction sites are PD1g opportunity PG, PA 9.2(b) STC being extended. arrises

9.1(c) DC PG5 Develop geological trails starting from Durlston. G2a 9.2(b) 2013 (Durlston), PG, PA (NI 8) STC, WHT

Raise awareness in Purbeck of the outstanding universal PG6 G2a Ongoing PHC, WHT PG, PCS, PA value of the World Heritage Site.

COAST AND SEA

Support the creation of Marine Conservation Zones 9.1(c) NE, SSF, at appropriate locations in Purbeck, and their Input as PCS1 B3a 9.1(b) PHC, DWT, PCS, PB implementation and management, whilst working to required 9.2(a) AONB ensure the sustainability of local fishing communities.

Seek to ensure that proposals for coastal access on foot PHC, NE PCS2 in Purbeck use the lowest access point in the estuary (at CS2a 2011 PCS, PA the Shell Bay ferry) as part of the route.

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Support the Durlston Castle Project proposals at Durlston DC 9.1(c) PCS3 Country Park, particularly the improvement of heritage A1a Ongoing (Durlston), PCS, PH, PA 9.2(b) trails. AONB

Work with relevant organisations to help develop a coastal adaptation strategy for Studland to enable the most appropriate actions to be taken to mitigate for climate change. Mitigation for sea level rise and 2009/10 increasing storminess should take both the human (subject to 9.1(d) NT, AONB, PCS4 and natural environment into account in order to help CS2b Shoreline PCS, PB, PA 9.2(i) PHC residents and visitors prepare for change, but should also Management be both pragmatic and sustainable. Key to delivery will Plan 2) be the communication strategy adopted to ensure that all stakeholders have the opportunity to fully understand the issues and restrictions of the various options available.

Support the C-SCOPE project, including marine spatial planning and a landscape/seascape assessment of tranquillity, potential zoning, erosion, increasing the DCF, DWT, PCS5 CS1a 2012 PCS awareness of features and habitats of Purbeck's seabed AONB and encouraging volunteer marine wildlife recording through the Sea Search programme.

DCF / DWT / Develop a campaign to lobby for measures to reduce PCS6 CS1c 2012 AONB / PHC PCS marine litter and develop a national marine litter strategy. PDC

Seek to ensure that the Shoreline Management Plans NT, PDC, being produced for the Purbeck coast promote the 9.1(a) RSPB, PCS7 continuation of natural processes, and that alternatives to CS2b 2010 PCS 9.2(a) landowners, the construction of coastal defences are sought wherever NE possible.

Develop a programme of work to improve scenic and visual quality along the coast. Investigate: the removal of the derelict WW2 lookout at Peveril Point, Swanage; PCS8 2014 STC PCS Lulworth Cove where beach lowering has exposed foundations to buildings and an active sewer pipe; and the visual appearance of coastal car parks.

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At Studland Bay, seek to resolve marine habitat damage (including impact on seahorse populations) caused by too Crown many anchored boats. This may include the installation of 9.1(c) Estates, NE, PCS9 CS3f 2009/10 PCS permanent managed moorings and increasing awareness 9.2(b) DWT, NT, of the issues through information provision at coastal AONB access points/boat hire places.

Identify sections of coast path susceptible to coastal NE, DC, NT, PCS10 erosion and landslip and plan for advanced retreat or CS2a 2009 PCS AONB realignment where necessary.

DC Continue to support monitoring and study of seabird PCS11 Ongoing (Durlston), PCS populations in Purbeck. NT, RSPB NE, Support the development of management plans for cliff PCS12 B3a landowners, PCS SAC'S. AONB, PHC HISTORIC AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Investigate the potential for funding renovation of a listed PDC, NT PH1 H1a 9.1(b) Ongoing PH, PA building or structure at risk for community benefit.

Promote the appropriate use of materials that reflect local PH2 distinctiveness, through design guidance and information H1a Ongoing PDC, EH PH provision.

Work with the AONB to enhance the management and PH3 H1c AONB, DCC PH, PA enjoyment of hillforts in Purbeck.

Develop a programme of survey and restoration of PKP, AONB, boundary features including stone walls and hedgerows, H2a PHC, NT, DC PH, PB, PLM, PH4 building on stone wall surveys already carried out. Seek 2009-10 H1a (Durlston), PA funding opportunities for when the Purbeck Keystone WDDC Project finishes.

DCC, Carry out a detailed archaeological survey of any site PH5 H1f Ongoing landowners, PH that is threatened by coastal change before it is lost. EH

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Work with communities to look at World War I and II AONB, PH6 historical structures and record the oral history associated H1c PH SWCP, WLPC with them.

Support the extension of the National Mapping DCC, EH, PH7 Programme into Purbeck to identify unrecorded H1d 9.1(c) 2014 PH AONB archaeology through aerial photo analysis.

LAND MANAGEMENT AND LOCAL PRODUCTS

Encourage the establishment of additional allotments at appropriate places, to enable communities to grow local 9.1(c) NT, PDC PLM1 C1f 2009-2014 PLM produce. Investigate the opportunities for Community 9.2(e) landowners Supported Agriculture.

Encourage the development of local processing of Purbeck produce through an increased use of existing 9.1(b) PLM2 LM2c PLM processing facilities and development of new associated 9.2(e) facilities where appropriate and viable.

As Encourage the use of underused farm buildings for 9.1(b) PLM3 PD1c opportunity Landowners PLM employment generating initiatives. 9.2(g) arrises

Support the development of locally distinctive farm 9.1(b) PLM4 A3a Ongoing PLM, PA tourism. 9.2(g)

Develop the Burngate Stone Centre to offer training Burngate in stone working and short courses to a variety of Stone Centre, PLM5 LM1b 2011 PLM, PA audiences. Centre to be self financing by the end of AOPMSC, 2011. PDC

Ensure that local produce schemes are independently accredited to ensure they deliver environmental land 9.1(b) Purbeck PLM6 LM2a 2010 PLM management benefits. Accreditation scheme to be 9.2(e) Products, DfD developed and in place by 2010.

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Continue to support the stone trade through apprenticeships and internships, stone walling and PLM7 LM1b 9.2(e) Ongoing PKP, AOPMSC PLM, PA recreational carving through the Purbeck Keystone and subsequent projects. Support one apprentice each year.

Work with local farmer groups, producers (including local fisheries) and processors to strengthen the local products 9.1(b) PKP, Purbeck PLM8 sector (food, drink and craft products such as wood and LM2a 2010 PLM 9.2(e) Products, DfD stone) through the creation of and support for a local co- operative.

Work in partnership with local tourism businesses to DNFTP, DD, 9.1(b) PLM9 identify skills and knowledge gaps and training needs A3a Ongoing PDC, tourism PLM, PA 9.2(f) & (g) and seek to meet them locally. operators

Promote sustainable tourism through the Green Tourism SWT, PDC, Business Scheme and the South West Tourism Action PLM10 A3a 2011 DD, tourism PLM, PA of the Year scheme. 30% businesses conducting 1 operators sustainable programme.

Develop a green tourism demonstration project to include 9.1(b) PLM11 promotion of local products. Work up one project and A3a 2014 PDC, DD PLM, PA 9.2(e) seek funding.

Work with Durlston Country Park to develop new business DC (Durlston) PLM, PG, PLM12 LM1b Ongoing opportunities related to the development of their Project. PHC PCS, PH, PA

Work with the AONB to address land management LM1c LM1d PLM13 issues, including low carbon farming, climate change 2014 PHC, AONB LM3b LM3c adaptation, and soil and water management.

Support the retention of traditional industries such as PLM14 quarrying and farming which contribute to Purbeck's LM1b Ongoing PHC heritage and local distinctiveness.

ACCESS, ENJOYING AND LEARNING

PHC, wide Hold an annual festival to enable residents and visitors to PA1 A1a 9.1(c) Annually variety of PA learn more about Purbeck’s heritage. partners

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5.1(a) NT, Work with attractions to encourage discounted entry PA2 A2e 9.2(d) 2010 Destination PA where public transport is used. NI 175 Dorset

DCC, NT, RSPB, bus Encourage people to visit attractions using public operators, transport through improved information provision 9.2(d) Destination PA3 (website, printed publicity, and at bus stops and train A2e NI 175 Ongoing Dorset, PA stations). 5.1(a) Swanage Railway, SW Trains, attractions

Investigate the potential for a summer tourism bus to stop at main attractions and link to the X53, including 9.2(d) PA4 A2e 2011 DCC, PHC PA Lulworth Cove and Castle, Monkey World and the Tank 5.1(a) Museum.

Continue to support the self-containment of Swanage STC, PDC, PA5 Ongoing PA and other villages through the support of local facilities. DCC

Maintain and promote medium distance walking and cycling routes which link towns and villages with the South West Coast Path and public transport routes: 9.2(c) PHC, DC Wareham Forest Way, Wareham Two Rivers Walks, 9.1(c) DCC, FC, PA6 A2d Ongoing PA, PCS Purbeck Way, Purbeck Way West, Lawrence Trail, (NI 8) PACT, NT, Rempstone Ride, Northport Greenway, Sika Cycle Trail 5.2(h) RSPB and the Purbeck Cycle Rides. Seek to replace stiles with gates to improve accessibility.

Develop circular walks and routes linking with Swanage NI 8 Railway that start or finish at Norden, Corfe Castle, 9.1(c) PHC PA7 Harman’s Cross and Swanage, that raise awareness A2e 9.2(c) & (b) 2012 PA SR, NT, DC of heritage features and encourages non-car travel for 5.1(b) leisure visits. 5.2(h)

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Develop and promote additional safe, off-road cycle 9.1(c) PACT, routes, particularly linking: 9.2(c) Sustrans, Wareham with Upton and Poole PA8 PD4c 5.1(b) 2010 DCC, PA Purbeck with North Dorset 5.2(h) Borough of Purbeck with West Dorset NI 175 Poole, WDDC and completing NCN route 2.

9.1(c) Develop the Frome Valley Trail from Bovington to East 9.2(c) PA9 PD4c 2012 DC, PHC Stoke (to complete the route from Evershot to Wareham). 5.1(b) 5.2(h)

Encourage people to experience a variety of sites NI 175 PHC PA10 in Purbeck through the promotion of the Purbeck A1a 9.1(c) Ongoing PA PIFSG Countryside Guide. 9.2(c) & (b) Further develop Norden as a transport interchange for non-car access to Purbeck, principally Corfe Castle, Swanage and Studland through: Working with bus companies to operate shuttle services to popular coastal locations with links to the South West Coast Path Working towards the operation of shuttle bus services 9.1(c) from Norden to Corfe Castle and/or coastal destinations 9.2(c) & (d) to relieve pressure on village centres and coastal car PTAG, SR, NI 175 PA11 parks A2e 2009-2014 DC, NT, PA, PCS 5.1(b) & (d) Amend existing advance direction signing to emphasise PHC, BP 5.2(c) Norden's interchange role 5.2(h) Improve walking and cycling routes and signage between Norden Park and Ride and Corfe Castle Improve footways and signage to nearby bus stops Work up an action plan for Norden based on recommendations contained in the Norden Park and Ride Scoping Study produced by Halcrow. Seek funding for proposals. Work with the County Council and bus companies 9.1(c) Bus to provide simple, clear and consistent bus timetable 9.2(d) PA12 A2e 2013 operators, PA information at bus stops and information about the 5.1(a) DCC, PTAG location of bus stops on printed public transport maps. NI 175

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Support proposals for a shuttle bus and improved 9.1(c) NI 175 PA13 pedestrian routes to provide access to Durlston Country A2e 9.2(d) 5.1(a) Pilot 2009 DC PA Park. 5.1(b) 9.1(c) Continue to support the reopening of the rail link 9.2(c) DCC between Wareham and Swanage to develop a service Infrastructure 5.1(a) PDC / PHC PA14 connecting with Poole, Bournemouth and Weymouth as a PD4c in place by PA 5.1(b) / PRP/ SR / regular year round service for journeys to work, shopping 2012 5.2(b) PTAG and leisure. NI 175 Build on existing research to develop connections and AONB / DC PA15 joint working with underrepresented groups to tackle A1b 11.1(a) PA / PDC barriers. Support the implementation of the Dorset Rights of Way PA16 Improvement Plan, and work with Dorset County Council A2a Ongoing DCC PA to prioritise routes in Purbeck where severance is an issue. Develop and implement the reopening of the former Hamworthy – Broadstone railway line for walking and DCC, PDC, PA17 PD4c NI 8 2013 PA cycling to provide community access to the Castleman DWT Trailway and long distance routes. DCC, PDC, PA18 Agree requirements for standardisation of signage. PD4d PA Landowners 9.1(c) NI 8 Develop circular walks with strong educational links 9.2(b) & (e) PKP PA19 with schools as well as increase knowledge and healthy A1c 2009-2010 PA 10.1(a) NT walking for local people. 10.2(a) NT, Promote joint ticketing and through tickets – e.g. Norden Destination 2009 PA20 railway to Durlston Country Park via shuttle bus, railway PD4c Dorset, DC PA onwards and Corfe Castle. (Durlston), attractions Use the launch of the Durlston Castle Project to gain national and international media attention for Purbeck DC 2010 PA21 and in particular the attractions of the area for off and A1a 9.1(c) (Durlston), PA onwards shoulder season special interest (heritage, nature, activity) PHC breaks.

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PHC, DCC, Liaise with transport operators to reduce the wait times 9.2(d) PA22 PD4c 2010 transport PA when transferring between services. 5.1(a) operators PHC, NI 175 Seek to develop a more direct cycle link between Norden DCC, BP, PA23 PD4c 9.1(c) 9.2(c) 2013 and the Rempstone Ride. Rempstone 5.1(b) 5.2(h) Estate 9.1(c) NI 175 Support proposals in the Local Transport Plan for safe 2011 DCC, PHC, PA24 PD4c 9.2 (c) PA cycle routes in Purbeck. onwards PACT 5.1(b) 5.2(h) Seek opportunities to develop off road walking/cycling As PA25 as part of the restoration of mineral sites along the PD1f 5.2(h) opportunity DCC, PHC PA Puddletown Road. arises PHC, PDC, Support the implementation of the Coastal Car Parks AONB, PA26 Protocol to reduce the landscape impacts of coastal car CS3d 2010 WDDC, car parks. park owners Support research into the demand for waterborne PA27 transport along the coast, and how such services could A2f 2010 AONB, PHC PA be incorporated within the transport network.

Support the AONB in delivering the Rural Roads Protocol, DCC, AONB, PA28 to reduce urbanisation and other negative impacts of PD4d 5.2(i) Ongoing DAPTC highway management.

St Aldhelm's Head

54 • Web: www.purbeck.gov.uk • Reception: 01929 556561 Purbeck Heritage Strategy

Key to Partners

AONB Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Dorset Team) NT National Trust AOPMSC Ancient Order of Purbeck Marblers and Stone Cutters PACT Purbeck Action for Cycling Team DAPTC Dorset Association of Parish and Town Councils PDC Purbeck District Council DCC Dorset County Council PHC Purbeck Heritage Committee DC Dorset Countryside (part of Dorset County Council) PIFSG Purbeck Information and Field Studies Group DCF Dorset Coast Forum PKP Purbeck Keystone Project DD Destination Dorset PRP Purbeck Rail Partnership DERC Dorset Environmental Records Centre PTAG Purbeck Transport Action Group DfD Direct from Dorset RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds DIGS Dorset Important Geological Sites group SSF Southern Seas Fisheries DNFTP Dorset and New Forest Tourism Partnership SR Swanage Railway DWT Dorset Wildlife Trust STC Swanage Town Council EH English Heritage SWT South West Tourism FC Forestry Commission SWCP South West Coast Path FWAG Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group WHT World Heritage Team LGAP Local Geodiversity Action Plan Working Group WDDC West Dorset District Council NE Natural England WLPC West Lulworth Parish Council

River Piddle, Wareham Common

• Web: www.purbeck.gov.uk • Reception: 01929 556561 55 Purbeck Heritage Strategy

Bibliography

Conserving Character – Landscape Character Assessment and Management Guidance for the Dorset AONB. Dorset AONB, 2008: http://www.dorsetaonb.org.uk/

Draft Landscape Character Assessment and Management Guidance for Purbeck (non AONB areas). Purbeck District Council, 2008: http://www.purbeck.gov.uk/

Purbeck Community Plan 2009-2020. Purbeck Community Partnership, 2009: http://www.purbeck.gov.uk/

Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan 2009-2014 – A framework for the future. Dorset AONB, 2009: http://www.dorsetaonb.org.uk/

A Tourism Strategy for Purbeck 2008-13. Purbeck District Council, 2009: http://www.purbeck.gov.uk/

Coastal Corridor Action Plan (in press), Dorset AONB

Dorset Rural Roads protocol. Dorset County Council, 2008: http://www.dorsetforyou.com/

Shoreline Management Plans: South Devon and Dorset (Durlston Head to Rame Head) Shoreline Management Plan review: www.sdadcag.org/SMP.html Poole and Christchurch Bays Durlston Head to Hurst Spit) Shoreline Management Plan review: www.twobays.net/

Value of Tourism. South West Tourism, 2005.

UK Biodiversity Action Plan website – details of priority habitats and species: http://www.ukbap.org.uk/NewPriorityList.aspx

Burngate Stone Centre website: http://www.burngatestonecentre.co.uk/

Outdoor Education website: www.purbeckoutdooreducation.co.uk

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Appendix

• Web: www.purbeck.gov.uk • Reception: 01929 556561 57 Produced by the Graphic Design Section, Communications Unit, Purbeck District Council