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| Dorset Coast Forum | |
|---|---|
| Name | Dorset Coast Forum |
| Formation | 1996 |
| Type | Charity |
| Headquarters | Dorset |
| Region served | Dorset Coast, English Channel |
Dorset Coast Forum The Dorset Coast Forum is a regional coastal partnership covering the Jurassic Coast, the Isle of Portland, and adjacent parts of the Dorset shoreline. It acted as a coordinating body for stakeholders including local authorities such as Dorset County Council, national agencies including Natural England and the Environment Agency (England and Wales), and conservation charities such as the National Trust and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The Forum facilitated integrated coastal management, sustainable tourism, and community engagement across the English Channel seaboard.
The Forum was founded in 1996 following national initiatives like the UK Integrated Coastal Zone Management recommendations and regional responses to the North Sea Ministerial Conferences and European directives such as the EU Birds Directive and EU Habitats Directive. Early work responded to events including coastal storm impacts similar to the 1993 Storm of 1993 (UK) and the 1997 1953 flooding legacy that shaped modern UK coastal policy debates. Over time the Forum aligned with projects funded under programmes like European Regional Development Fund and partnerships formed during the development of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site nomination process. The organisation adapted through governance changes in local government, including the reorganisation affecting Dorset Council and adjacent unitary authorities.
The Forum operated as a registered charitable company with a board comprising representatives from unitary and district councils such as Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, national bodies including Natural England, and non-governmental organisations such as the RSPB and Wildlife Trusts. Its governance framework referenced national guidance from the Marine Management Organisation and aligned with statutory instruments like the Coast Protection Act 1949. Steering groups included experts drawn from academic institutions such as the University of Exeter, the University of Southampton, and marine research centres like the Plymouth Marine Laboratory. Funding oversight and audit processes involved bodies including the National Audit Office and partner funders like the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Forum coordinated coastal zone plans, shore management strategies linked to Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) processes, and habitat restoration projects that interfaced with designations such as Special Areas of Conservation and Sites of Special Scientific Interest. It delivered projects on coastal resilience addressing sea level rise scenarios used by the Met Office and climate workbench outputs from the UK Climate Impacts Programme. Notable initiatives partnered with organisations such as English Heritage on cultural coastal assets, and with the Marine Biological Association on intertidal surveys. The Forum also facilitated monitoring programmes with the Environment Agency and community science contributions to national datasets like those held by the British Geological Survey and the National Biodiversity Network.
Partnerships spanned local authorities including Christchurch Borough Council and West Dorset District Council, national agencies such as Defra, non-profits like the National Trust and Surfers Against Sewage, and academic partners including Bournemouth University. Funding streams combined grants from sources such as the Heritage Lottery Fund, EU structural funds like the European Regional Development Fund, and contributions from county and district councils. Collaborative funding bids involved entities including the Coastal Communities Fund, conservation trusts such as the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, and corporate sponsors in regional development initiatives tied to organisations like Visit Dorset.
Work promoted the conservation of habitats including chalk cliffs and marshland, and species recorded in designations like the Selsey Bill to Portland Bill MCZ and local Special Protection Areas. Projects mitigated erosion at locations comparable to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove by informing adaptive management within Shoreline Management Plans. The Forum engaged with marine spatial planning dialogues influenced by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and supported monitoring of coastal geomorphology with the British Geological Survey and biodiversity recording via the National Trust and local wildlife trusts such as the Dorset Wildlife Trust.
The Forum ran outreach including community forums, coastal forums, guided walks and educational resources tied to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site curriculum used by schools and institutions such as the Royal Geographical Society. Engagement included volunteer programmes coordinated with groups like the National Trust, citizen science projects feeding into the National Biodiversity Network, and public events partnering with tourism bodies such as Visit England and South West Coast Path Association. Interpretation work supported museums and visitor centres including Lulworth Cove Visitor Centre and local heritage organisations such as the Dorset County Museum.
Category:Organisations based in Dorset Category:Coastal management in England