Seafront Enhancements

Swanage Seafront Projects

Seafront Masterplan

The Swanage Seafront Masterplan is a long-term vision to enhance and protect Swanage’s iconic seafront –ensuring it remains a vibrant, accessible, and resilient space for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Created by Swanage Town Council, the masterplan sets out a coordinated approach to improving the seafront’s infrastructure, public spaces, and environmental resilience.

What the Masterplan Aims to Do:

Protect the coastline from the impacts of climate change, flooding, and erosion
Enhance public spaces for recreation, events, and tourism
Improve accessibility and connectivity along the seafront
Support local businesses and the visitor economy
Celebrate Swanage’s character and natural beauty

The masterplan is shaped by extensive community engagement, with hundreds of residents and stakeholders contributing ideas and feedback through surveys, workshops, and public events.

It provides a framework for future projects – such as the Green Seafront Stabilisation & Enhancement Scheme, Shore Road improvements, and coastal flood defence planning – ensuring that all developments are aligned with a shared vision for Swanage’s future.

The Swanage Seafront Masterplan was unanimously adopted by Swanage Town Council on Monday 24th July 2023, following extensive public consultation.

View the full masterplan and survey results here.

Swanage Town Council extends its thanks to the Dorset Coast Forum Team for their professional and inclusive engagement process.

Green Seafront Scheme

The Swanage Green Seafront Stabilisation and Enhancement Scheme is a vital project designed to protect and improve some of the town’s most cherished public spaces – Sandpit Field, Weather Station Field, and the Spa beach hut area.

Why is this work needed?

These areas are experiencing ongoing ground movement and slope instability, with over 40 defects already identified. Cracks in retaining walls, uneven ground, and erosion are putting the safety, usability, and long-term future of these spaces at risk.

Without intervention:

The land could become unsafe for public use.
Costs for future repairs would increase significantly.
Swanage could lose key spaces used for events, recreation, and tourism.

What is the scheme aiming to do?

The project will:

Stabilise the ground to prevent further movement and damage.
Protect public access to these important green spaces.
Enhance the area with improved accessibility, biodiversity, and community facilities.

Two options have been developed:

An Essential Option focused on core stabilisation works.
An Enhanced Option that includes additional improvements like a new accessible plaza, upgraded beach huts, and expanded event space.

Engagement Phase 1

The first phase of public engagement for the Swanage Green Seafront Scheme took place in October–November 2022, led by Dorset Coast Forum in partnership with Swanage Town Council and Dorset Council.

This initial round focused on two options for stabilisation, as well as understanding how the community uses and values the seafront, and what improvements they would like to see in the future.

Engagement highlights:

Public survey with 1,045 responses
Ideas board with 122 contributions
Pop-up stalls and workshops engaging 344 participants
Over 12,000 views on Facebook posts and 4,000 webpage views related to the masterplan

Engagement Phase 2

In May–June 2025, the second round of public engagement was launched for the Swanage Green Seafront Stabilisation & Enhancement Scheme.

The aim was to gather feedback on two proposed options to stabilising and improving key green spaces along the seafront—Sandpit Field, Weather Station Field, and the Spa beach hut area – which have been affected by ongoing ground movement and slope instability.

Participants were invited to compare:

Essential Option (from 2023): Focused on stabilising the ground in it's current form to prevent further deterioration and retain the spaces for public use.
Enhanced Option (new for 2025): Builds on the essential works and includes:
- Filling in Walrond Road to expand the event field
- A new accessible seafront plaza with toilets and a kiosk café
- Improved beach huts and accessible chalets in the Spa area
- Additional planting to support biodiversity and wildlife

Engagement activities included pop-ups at Swanage Market and outside Co-op, drop-in events at the Focus Centre and The Mowlem and an online survey for wider participation.

Feedback from this round will help determine the preferred option. Final designs will be subject to formal consultation, including planning permissions. Stabilisation works are expected to begin in Autumn 2027.

Dorset Council-led Seafront Schemes

1. Swanage Town Coastal Protection Scheme

Our town centre is vulnerable to flooding during storm events and high tides, particularly when combined with easterly winds. Waves frequently overtop the sea wall, causing environmental, economic, and tourism-related impacts. This ongoing issue has highlighted the need for improved, permanent flood protection.

Dorset Council, in partnership with the Environment Agency, Dorset Coast Forum, and Swanage Town Council, is developing a long-term coastal flood defence scheme. The proposed scheme will cover key areas including Shore Road, Mowlem Slipway, The Square, The Parade, and Lower High Street – locations currently protected by temporary seasonal barriers.

The project is being led by Dorset Council’s Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management Team, who are preparing an outline business case to secure government funding via the Environment Agency.

If funding is approved, the project will move into a detailed design phase with further public consultation. Engagement will include direct outreach, structured workshops, and open community events facilitated by Dorset Coast Forum to ensure local voices are heard throughout the process.

To find out more details, please visit: www.dorsetcoast.com/project/swanage-town-coastal-protection-scheme

2. Swanage Beach Recharge

To help protect Swanage’s coastline, a beach recharge (also known as beach nourishment) is being considered. This involves placing sand or shingle on the beach to raise and widen it, allowing it to absorb more wave energy and reduce the risk of flooding and erosion.

This method helps maintain the beach’s natural appearance, making it an attractive space for both residents and visitors. However, beach recharge is not permanent – materials gradually wash away, meaning the process must be repeated over time. The last recharge in Swanage took place in 2005/06.

The scheme aims to restore optimum beach sediment levels, contributing to long-term coastal resilience while preserving the character of Swanage’s seafront.

To find out more details, please visit: www.dorsetcoast.com/beach-nourishment

3. Future Coast North Swanage – part of the Coastal transition accelerator programme

North Swanage has been selected for funding through the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme (CTAP), supported by DEFRA and the Environment Agency. This funding recognises the increasing impact of coastal erosion and climate change on the area, including rising sea levels and more frequent storms.

In parts of North Swanage, maintaining sea defences long-term is no longer sustainable. The Future Coast Swanage project will work with the local community to explore practical ways to adapt to these natural changes. This includes:

Improving infrastructure and beach access
Raising awareness of coastal risks
Developing long-term plans to support community resilience

With £3 million in funding, Future Coast Swanage is a proactive step towards helping the town prepare for and manage coastal change, ensuring it remains a safe and thriving place for future generations.

To find out more details, please visit: www.dorsetcoast.com/project/swanage-coastal-transition-accelerator-programme-ctap

4. Shore Road Highways Enhancement Scheme

Dorset Council developed options for improvements at Shore Road in response to public concerns about pedestrian safety, accessibility, and the desire for a more welcoming and vibrant seafront.

They presented four potential highway options for the northern section of Shore Road:

Full closure to vehicles
Partial closure with a one-way system
Removal of parking
Maintaining the current layout

These options were consulted upon between May and June, and the feedback from this consultation will inform the preferred option or options.

To find out more details, please visit: www.dorsetcoasthaveyoursay.co.uk/swanage-green-seafront-stabilisation/highways-options