Planning Committee 17 August, 2017 WD/D/17/001220 Application Number: WD/D/17/001220 Full Registration Date: 11 May, 2017 Application Site: HARDSTANDING AND ROCK ARMOUR SOUTH OF, SEA HILL LANE, SEATOWN Proposal: Place approx. 160 tonnes of rock to extend the existing rock armour structure, rebuilding sections of blockwork wall and repairs to concrete hardstanding area Applicant: West Dorset District Council Ward Members: Cllr S Christopher Case Officer: Darren Rogers 1. Summary Recommendation 1.1 Approve 2. Description of development 2.1 It is proposed to place additional rock armour and associated repairs to the existing concrete apron at Seatown Foreshore/Beach. The beach and seafront at Seatown has been privately owned for many years [the Wraxall family] and this project is one of a number being progressed through a local regeneration partnership that includes the beach owner, the District Council, Chideock Parish Council, Dorset County Council and other private landowners. 2.2 The need for improvements to the seafront was identified in the Seatown Regeneration Feasibility Study report prepared and published in March 2016, by a small group of local consultants, on behalf of the Chideock Society/Parish Council. This following research and engagement work that was funded by the government’s Coastal Revival Fund. The report includes a range of projects and initiatives that are now being taken forward by the different partners, as funding becomes available. 2.3 The preparation of the study report involved a series of local workshops and consultation events with the local community and stakeholders and the District Council engineering team was an active participant in these events. The report included proposals for protecting the seafront and improving public access to the beach, but since the publication of the Report, a further assessment has been made of the options and in December 2016, the District Council engineers recommended a more modest and straightforward proposal, which does not involve the new turning head for the highway which was included in the original scheme. This revised scheme has been supported by local partners and community representatives and so now forms the basis of this planning application. 2.4 The Current Seafront and The New Proposals a. The seafront at Seatown does have the benefit of some rock armour protection, comprised of large blocks of Mendip Limestone, that were installed by West Dorset District Council some years ago, but it does not extend in front of the concrete apron. b. A series of recent storms has caused additional damage to the concrete apron and this has focussed all parties on the importance of this area being repaired and protected for the future. Without such action there is a real danger that the concrete apron will be further undermined and damaged, which if extensive enough could cause the public highway and turning head to also be damaged or even to collapse. c. Seatown is a small but important access point to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and receives a large number of visitors throughout the year and especially during summer months. Golden Cap Holiday Park accommodates visitors in static and touring pitches, making Seatown one of the key gateways to this part of the coastline. It is also the main point where those wanting to walk up to the top of Golden Cap start. Golden Cap is the highest point on the south coast, commands fantastic views over the rest of the Jurassic Coast to the East and West and is featured on many advertisements for the World Heritage Site. It is therefore more attractive and busier due to this fact than might otherwise be the case. Visitor numbers are increased further by the presence of the Anchor Inn which is most popular and the public car park, both of which are owned by Palmers Brewery. d. However access to the beach itself is not the easiest and the current proposals for the additional rock armour include maintenance works to the hardstanding and ramp area to provide much improved access to the beach. This will be complemented by other proposed initiatives within the regeneration report, including new information and interpretation, environmental and signing improvements and subject to confirmation by Dorset CC, new passing places along Seahill Lane to ease the serious congestion problems along this length of highway, which is mainly single file. It is important therefore that this proposal for additional rock armour is seen and considered within this wider regeneration context. e. In the spirit of the partnership project that is underway, it has been agreed that the rock armour stone will be sourced, funded and transported by the beach owner, with timing to be agreed, whilst the District Council, with its coastal engineering responsibilities will undertake its installation and the repair of the existing seawall, so that they are satisfied that this work and the work is completed to their standards and reflect the earlier rock armour protection, that was installed previously 3. Main planning issues · Need for the development · The visual impact on AONB/Heritage/World Heritage coast · Impact on the character and appearance of the area and nearby listed buildings. · Impact on residential amenity 4. Statutory Consultations Parish/Town Council 4.1 Chideock Parish Council fully supports this application. The Parish Council is concerned that the wall supporting the DCC maintained public highway is in urgent need of repair and this does not appear to be covered by the application. NB - The wall is not owned or controlled by WDDC and is the responsibility of DCC as the wall supports the highway. However, some of the concrete repairs we are carrying out to the adjacent hardstanding area will improve the toe support to the wall. Highway Authority 4.2 Dorset County Council has no objections, subject to the following condition: Construction traffic management plan to be submitted Before the development hereby approved is occupied or utilised a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) must be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The CTMP must include: o construction vehicle details (number, size, type and frequency of movement) o a programme of construction works and anticipated deliveries o timings of deliveries so as to avoid, where possible, peak traffic periods o contractors' arrangements (compound, storage, parking, turning, surfacing and drainage) o wheel cleaning facilities o vehicle cleaning facilities o a scheme of appropriate signing of vehicle route to the site o a route plan for all contractors and suppliers to be advised on The development must be carried out strictly in accordance with the approved Construction Traffic Management Plan. Reason: to minimise the likely impact of construction traffic on the surrounding highway network and prevent the possible deposit of loose material on the adjoining highway 5. Other consultations 5.1 World Heritage Coast Team - The Jurassic Coast Team have no objections to this application. Whilst the encroachment of rock armour onto the beach will have a minor negative impact on the features that underpin Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site and on its setting it is recognised that the scheme has significant benefits to the sea front amenity and sustainability that represent an acceptable offset. It is noted that the scheme is in line with current SMP policies for the short term. In the medium and long term we do not expect to support the ongoing maintenance of hard coastal defences at Seatown and will instead advocate for adaptation to coastal change through managed realignment. We regard this latest investment in coastal defences to be an interim measure and urge West Dorset District Council and the community of Seatown to consider how it fits into the long term implications of increased sea level rise and erosion. 5.2 DCP Landscape Officer - The proposed rock armour will be an extension of existing coastal defences in the immediate area. The proposed works will also rebuild and repair existing works that are in poor condition. It is not anticipated that the proposed works will affect any of the key characteristics or have any detrimental impact upon the condition of the landscape character area. The Heritage Coast Team have been consulted regarding the visual impact of the scheme upon the Heritage Coast. Recommendations - No objection and no landscape conditions required 5.3 Natural England - Having liaised with both my Jurassic Coast and Dorset AONB colleagues over this proposal, Natural England have no objection to its implementation. It is Natural England’s general presumption that natural coastal processes are allowed to operate in as natural a manner as possible within designated sites, especially a site which is additionally designated internationally for its biodiversity, geology, geological exposures fossil record and active geomorphological processes as both a SAC and England’s only natural World Heritage Site. However, it is clear that in this case the works are required to maintain, in the short term, important local infrastructure in a manner which conforms with the relevant policy for this unit in the Durlston Head to Rame Head SMP2 (Seatown, PUR 6a15) which identifies a short term policy to Hold the Line. SMP2 also makes it clear that while temporarily interrupting natural coastal processes, the medium to long term outlook is for a policy change to No Active Intervention and a return to a naturally functioning shoreline and subsequently any adverse impacts on the area’s designated features/processes can be seen as short term and entirely reversible. Within that context, it is worth reflecting on the SMP’s observation that (with my pluralisation to reflect the existing and new structure): Due to the long term aim for this area it is not planned that the revetment[s] would be rebuilt should it [they] fail, which could be within the next 20 years.