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 55 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.

Please find links below to independent technical reports that the Council has commissioned and received regarding the Green Seafront, the ground conditions and the potential interventions to stabilise the land. These include, site monitoring and risk review reports, a Ground Stabilisation Feasibility Study undertaken in 2022 by WSP and a review of engineering methodologies undertaken in 2025 by Heidelberg Materials.

Ground Stabilisation Feasibility Study: WSP 2022

Site Monitoring Report: WSP June 2023

Site Monitoring Report: WSP October 2023

Site Monitoring Report: WSP February 2024

Site Monitoring Report: WSP May 2024

Site Monitoring Report: WSP October 2024

Site Monitoring Report: WSP February 2025

Site Monitoring Report: WSP June 2025

Site Monitoring Report: WSP October 2025

Engineering Methodologies Review: Heidelberg Materials 2025

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.

Public Engagement Overview

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.

• New 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.

In November 2025, a report was published setting out a summary and analysis of the results following engagement on the Swanage Green Seafront Stabilisation and Enhancement options, which can be found here: Swanage Green Seafront Engagement Report. Over 1,400 survey responses and many contributions at drop-in and stakeholder events were received, mostly from those with a strong local connection.

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.