NIO M O UN IM D R T IA A L • P • W L O A I R D L D N H O E M R I E TA IN G O E • PATRIM United Nations Dorset and East Devon Coast Educational, Scientific and inscribed on the World Cultural Organization Heritage List in 2001 Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site Management Plan 2014 – 2019 Foreword by the Chair of the Jurassic Coast Partnership, Doug Hulyer Special places need special care. That is what this Management Plan is about and for; building upon the enthusiasm, expertise and commitment of a host of partners – organisations, communities and individuals – to deliver world class care of this World Heritage Site. When UNESCO granted World Heritage status to the Dorset and East Devon Coast in 2001 it recognised the global importance of the Site’s geology and geomorphology. In so doing, it confirmed what so many people had long known – that these 95 miles of coastline are rich in stories and a history of deep time, as well as being a place of enormous beauty, home to a wealth of wildlife, a thriving culture and vibrant coastal communities. This is a living landscape that reveals its secrets unceasingly from season to season and storm to storm. People love this place and it is our responsibility as the Steering Group to ensure that the Jurassic Coast is not only well cared for and protected when necessary, but also realises the full human potential that World Heritage status confers. This is a responsibility delegated to us by the UK Government who are ultimately responsible to UNESCO for its care. This is a Plan created by the Partners – the key agencies, landowners and all the others who have an interest in shaping the future of our coast – through discussion and negotiation. It is a practical Plan, where those responsible for its delivery are clearly identified. The strength of its delivery will be determined by the strength of this great partnership. The previous Plan (2009-2013) covered a period of deep change in the way publicly funded bodies and partnerships operate, and, inevitably, this trend will continue through this current Plan. This Plan recognises that we have much to build upon and many opportunities; it also recognises that there are challenges ahead. I am confident that we will rise to these challenges. As a newly appointed Chair to the Steering Group, I would like convey my thanks, and those of many others, to my predecessor, Don Gobbett. This Plan is a testament to his tireless leadership and foresight. I would also like to thank the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site Steering Group for all the time and effort they have devoted to the development of the Management Plan, and on whose behalf I have the pleasure to sign off this document. This Plan was endorsed by the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site Partnership Steering Group, on behalf of the Partnership, at its meeting of March 13th, 2014. I should like to thank the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team for their input and their continuing enthusiasm in implementing many of the policies of successive Plans. Particular thanks are As of that date the Partnership comprised the following organisations and specialists: due to the Site Manager, Sam Rose, who has devoted so much time and energy to the creation of this current Plan. Doug Hulyer IMAGE CREDITS CONTENTS Front cover image Aim 2 - P 45 1. INTRODUCTION 1 5. POLICY FRAMEWORK 31 Ladram Bay Chapman’s Pool, Purbeck 1.1 UNESCO and the World Heritage Convention 2 5.1 Background to the development of vision, aims and policies 32 © Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team © Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team 1.2 Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site 3 5.2 Vision, Aims, Cross-Cutting Themes and Policies 33 1.3 World Heritage Site Management 7 Inside cover image Aim 3 - P 53 1.4 Description of the document 7 6. IMPLEMENTATION 83 Kimmeridge Ammonite fossil 1.5 Summary of process undertaken 8 6.1 Management principles 84 © Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team © Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team 1.6 Background to WHS designation 8 6.2 Management structures and organisational roles 85 1.7 Review of the last Plan period 8 Chapter 1 - P 1 Aim 3 - P 60 1.8 Resources 8 ORGANISATIONS AND ACRONYMS 87 Ichthyosaur fossil Durdle Door, Purbeck © Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team © Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team 2. JUSTIFICATION FOR WORLD HERITAGE STATUS 11 Appendices referred to in this document can be downloaded from 2.1 Identification of Sites 12 http://jurassiccoast.org/plan Chapter 1 - P 10 Aim 4 - P 61 2.2 Statement of Outstanding Universal Value 13 Kimmeridge Ammonite and fracture patterns 2.3 Attributes 14 © Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team © Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team 3. SITE PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT 15 Chapter 2 - P 11 Aim 5 - P 65 3.1 Boundaries of the Site 16 Lulworth crumple close-up Ladram Bay 3.2 The setting of the Site and buffer zones 17 © Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team © Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team 3.3 Protection of the Site and setting 19 Chapter 3 - P 15 Aim 6 - P 75 4. ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES 23 Casts of mud cracks, Devon Fresh water ammonite 4.1 Integration of WHS Management Plan into the planning system 24 © Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team © Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team 4.2 Impacts of national energy policy on the World Heritage Site 24 4.3 Conservation designations 25 Chapter 4 - P 23 Aim 6 - P 82 4.4 Geoscience research 25 Burton Bradstock Ichthyosaur fossil 4.5 Fossil collecting, and acquisition and display of key scientifically 26 © Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team © Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team important specimens 4.6 Changes in national curriculum 27 Chapter 5 - P 31 Chapter 6 - P 83 4.7 Learning and understanding outside the classroom 27 Worbarrow Bay Dunscombe mudstone and gypsum 4.8 Community engagement and volunteering 28 © Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team © Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team 4.9 Extreme coastal erosion events and safety 28 4.10 Sustainable transport and coast path access 29 Aim 1 - P 37 4.11 Climate change 29 Swyre Head, Purbeck 4.12 Inclusion and participation of hard to reach audiences 30 © Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team 4.13 Financial resources for Site management and the 30 macro-economic context 1 2 1.1 UNESCO and the World Heritage Convention The Convention, which was ratified by the UK Government in 1984, is exceptional in two ways: first, it is international, able to be applied equally over all 191 member states, and UNESCO was established in 1945, and its Constitution declares that‘since wars begin in the with a global level of responsibility; secondly, it embraces both culture and the natural minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed’. 2 environment in one designation and depends very much on the interdependence of the two dimensions of heritage. The overriding purpose of the organisation is: “to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among nations through education, science and culture in order “In regarding heritage as both cultural and natural, the Convention reminds us of the ways to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and in which people interact with nature, and of the fundamental need to preserve the balance fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction between the two.”3 of race, sex, language or religion”. 2 The Convention sets out the guidance for nomination and, once inscribed, management of One of UNESCO’s roles is with respect to the protection of natural and cultural heritage World Heritage Sites. In this context, UNESCO’s World Heritage mission is to: and to ensure that the conservation of sites and monuments contributes to social cohesion. “Insofar as monuments and sites are also spaces for sustainable development • encourage States Parties to establish Management Plans and set up reporting systems on and reconciliation, UNESCO coordinates actions of its partners by administering the World the state of conservation of their World Heritage Sites; Heritage Convention (1972)”. 3 • help States Parties safeguard World Heritage properties by providing technical assistance and professional training; • provide emergency assistance for World Heritage Sites in immediate danger; The World Heritage Convention • support States Parties’ public awareness-building activities for World Heritage conservation; UNESCO further states that: “Reflecting the natural and cultural wealth that belongs to all of • encourage participation of the local population in the preservation of their cultural and humanity, World Heritage Sites and monuments constitute crucial landmarks for our world. natural heritage; They symbolize the consciousness of States and peoples of the significance of these places • encourage international cooperation in the conservation of our world’s cultural and 1. INTRODUCTION and reflect their attachment to collective ownership and to the transmission of this heritage natural heritage. to future generations.” 3 The implications of being on the World Heritage List are that properties have “Outstanding World Heritage Sites (WHS) are places of global significance. They are recognised by “What makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional is its universal application. World Universal Value”; a “cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) through Heritage Sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future the World Heritage Convention, which has been ratified by 1191 of the 193 member they are located.