COASTLINE DESCRIPTION
Variability
Along
Sector
This Sector exhibits a high degree of uniformity imposed by the backing
sandy heathland and sand dune ridges of the South Haven Peninsula, and
the soft sandy shores which occur along the entire length of the unit.
Backing cliffs from Redend Point to Handfast Point.
The open bay of Studland and the smaller embayment of Shell Bay
dominate the coastline.
Backshore
Zone
Much of the upper Backshore of Studland Bay is formed by a virtually
continuous foredune ridge of fine sand that varies in height between 3-6m.
The Backshore of Shell Bay consists of a gently sloping sand platform and
dune bank. The vertical chalk cliffs of Handfast Point have very little
vegetation.
Intertidal
Zone
Soft sandy shores occur along the entire length of the sector. The intertidal
zone of Studland Bay comprises fine sand and forms a steep beach with a
steep beach face at high water mark. The sand shores along Studland Bay
are wide, exceeding 120m in places. By contrast the sandy shore in Shell
Bay is more narrow, about 40 - 50m wide and consists of sand with a
scattering of shingle. It has a shallow slope and a shallow sloping beach
face. The shingle beaches around Redend Point are mixed with sand in the
lower intertidal zone.
Wave
Energy
Ranges from a relatively low to high wave energy environment, depending
on wind direction.
Man-made
features
Pier at South Haven Point for chain ferry.
Marine
Biology:
Littoral Zone
Assessment
The section of coastline from South Haven Point (SZ 036 867) to Redend
Point (SZ 037 829) is uniformly made up of sandy beaches backed by
dunes and heathland. The foot of Studland Cliffs are a rocky intertidal
habitat, with some pockets of mixed sand and gravel. The southern section
tends to be more sheltered than the northern part, with a greater number of
infaunal species. Zostera or eelgrass occur in the shallow waters below
Studland Cliffs and may be exposed on extremely low spring tides.
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – Handfast Point to South Haven Point
Page 160
CONSERVATION
Sensitive
Marine
Areas
Little Sea, the freshwater lake is fringed by reed swamp; it contains several
rare species of submerged flora and provides an important site for wildfowl,
including pochard, scaup, gadwall and goldeneye. The peninsula is a key
site for coastal geomorphology. Sand foreshore backed by sand dunes that
enclose a freshwater lake, Little Sea. The north west of the site borders
Poole Harbour and consists of intertidal mudflats and saltmarsh.
In addition to statutory designations Natural England has identified 3
important areas for marine wildlife (more commonly referred to as
'Sensitive Marine Areas' SMA’s) around Dorset. They are not designations
but are used to indicate he presence of rich vulnerable marine species or
habitats. The full descriptions of these SMA’s are in the SRC information
file. All Dorset Sectors are SMA’s.
RESOURCES AT RISK
The recreation and tourist activities for the South Haven Peninsula are very
much linked to the industry for Poole Harbour (see Sector 5). Shell Bay
Tourism and and Studland Bay are very high amenity beaches and access is good, both
Recreation
by road along the Peninsula and by ferry from Sandbanks. Sport and sea
angling are very popular with angling by boat and from the shore in Shell
Bay, Studland Bay and from South Haven Point
Fisheries
and
Mariculture
The trawl fishing activity around South Haven Peninsula is very much linked
to the industry for Poole Harbour (see Sector 16).
Industrial
N/A
Expected
Claim Areas
TBA
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – Handfast Point to South Haven Point
Page 161
CLEAN-UP STRATEGY
Local
Agreements
Special
Consideration
Agreed
Treatment
(Natural
England and
Local
Authorities)
Water Table - ease of clean-up on sandy beaches may depend on height
of water table
Oil that becomes stranded on the saltmarsh within Poole Harbour should
be left to degrade naturally and become covered by further deposits.
No dispersants.
Oil that becomes stranded on the sandy beach should be removed using
mechanical or manual methods of clean up.
Manual collection of tarballs and other oily debris.
Held Locally:

Equipment
Guidelines
None
Other Sources of Equipment:

MCA Stockpile

Equipment held for Fleet Lagoon Booming Plan

Weymouth Harbour Boom
Containment
and Recovery
There are no really effective methods available that would completely
protect this long, open sandy shoreline other than at-sea clean up.
Temporary
Storage
It may be possible to dig and line storage pits at the back of the beach and
in front of the sand dunes. Consultation with the National Trust and Natural
England is necessary. Care must be taken to avoid damage to the sand
dune system. Large skips could be positioned at the Ferry Car Park or at
the Knoll Beach Car Park.
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – Handfast Point to South Haven Point
Page 162
SENSITIVITY SCORE WORKSHEET
ECONOMIC
range
S
W
AESTHETIC
range
S
W
Income or Use
Reduction
0-4
4
2
Scenic Quality
0-4
4
4
Natural Resource
Damage
0-4
4
4
Visual Impact
0-4
4
4
Replacement /
Restoration Costs
0-4
2
2
Local Appreciation
0-4
4
4
Sub Total
0-12
10
8
Sub Total
0-12
12
12
SOCIAL
range
S
W
ENVIRONMENTAL
range
S
W
Purpose of Use
0-4
4
2
Water quality
Degradation
0-4
3
3
Effect of Oil
0-4
4
2
Biological Productivity
0-4
4
2
Degree of Direct Contact 0-4
2
1
Ecological Significance
0-4
4
4
Amount of Use
0-4
4
1
Unique Habitat Uses
0-4
4
2
Treatment before Use
0-4
2
2
Ecological Vulnerability
0-4
4
2
Sub Total
0-20
16
8
Sub Total
0-20
19
13
Total Sensitivity Rating
0-64
57
41
AREA SENSITIVITY RANKING The outside considerations listed below can be added to
the total sensitivity rating to modify the score
OUTSIDE
CONSIDERATIONS
range
S
W
Political Pressure
0-4
4
4
Public Pressure
0-4
4
2
Time Restrictions
0-4
2
1
Sub Total
12
10
7
TOTAL SENSITIVITY
0-64
57
41
TOTAL MODIFIED
SENSITIVITY
0-76
67
48
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – Handfast Point to South Haven Point
Page 163
Sector 15 Handfast Point (SZ 054 824) to South Haven Point (SZ
036 867)

Length of Coastline - 6.5 km

Straight Line Distance - 4.5 km

Aspect - Easterly and North-easterly

Exposure - moderately exposed

Coastline Description - uniform open bay with a soft shoreline
of sand which includes the sandy heathland and sand dune
ridges of South Haven Peninsula; backing cliffs in the southern
section.

Conservation - SSSI and NNR because of heathland and dune
vegetation of Studland and Godlingston Heaths, and the cliffs
within Studland Bay.

Resources at Risk - very high because of the commercial
fishing and amenity value of the sector. Shell and Studland
Bays have a very high amenity value

Clean-up Strategy - prioritise for sensitive dune and heathland
ecology, amenity beaches and commercial fisheries.

Access to Shoreline - access from South Haven Point to
Redend Point is good; No access at Handfast Point.
AP54 PHB17
AP57
PHB-4B
AP55
STU4 (winter)
AP56
STU4 (summer)
AP53
STU3 (winter)
Map Crown Copyright - Map Scale 1cm = 0.258
STU3 (summer)
Sector 15 Handfast Point (Old Harry)
to Southhaven Point
STU2 (winter)
STU2 (summer)
Access 52
RVP 17
STU1
Access 51
2
S/M/P
Unit
Key Sensitive Features & Importance
EA
Rati
ng
A1
A1
A1
A1
MP
S
Sensitivity
Score
S
W
67
48
67
48
67
48
67
48
Resources at Risk
Feature
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Peak Tourism & Recreation
Commercial Fishing
Sport Angling
Seabird Concentrations
Natural England Designations , Habitats & Coastal Schedules
Site Name
Designation & Habitat
Conservation
EN
Interest
Sched
ule
Studland and
SSSI - Biological &
Heathland and dune
DT03
Godlingston
Geological, NNR,
vegetation; waders
Heaths
pSAC, pSPA, pRamsar and wildfowl; reptiles
and invertebrates;
coastal landforms
Lowland heathland;
mires; sand dunes
Studland
NNR. Lowland
Heathland and dune
Heath
heathland; mires; sand
vegetation; birds;
dunes
reptiles and
invertebrates;
coastal landforms
Studland Cliffs
SSSI - Geological,
Chalk cliff algae,
DT04
pSAC
nesting seabirds;
coastal landforms
Purbeck Ridge SSSI - Geological
Chalk cliff algae,
DT05
(East
and botanical
interest
Managed Sites
Site Name
Managing Body
South West Peninsula Coastal Path
Dorset County Council / The
Countryside Commission
Studland
The National Trust
Studland NNR
English Nature
Purbeck Heritage Coast
Dorset County Council / The
Countryside Commission
Dorset A.O.N.B
Dorset County Council / The
Countryside Commission
Protection Practical
STU1
SSSI, SAC, sand dunes, chalk shore, chalk cliffs, eelgrass beds
Maybe
STU2
SSSI, SAC, birds sand dunes, chalk shore, chalk cliffs, eelgrass beds
Maybe
STU3
SSSI, SAC, birds, sheltered sediment, Sand dunes, sandy beaches and eelgrass beds
Maybe
STU4
SSSI, SAC, Birds,
No
Access to Shoreline and Rendezvous Points (RVPs)
Adjacent Sector-Slipway and hardstanding at sailing club (SZ 035 865) off Studland Toll Road, South Haven Point.
51.
Redend Point (SZ 037 828) accessed via locked gate (key with National Trust) opposite the Bankes Arms Public House. Slipway and hardstanding available at the end of a narrow tarmac track.
52.
National Trust (Knoll Beach) Car Park (SZ 035 834). Access and hardstanding available off the Studland Toll Road. Access onto beach via locked gate (key with National Trust).
53.
Shell Bay (SZ 035 864). Access for 4WD vehicles via gate (key with The National Trust) adjacent to ferry tollbooth on the Studland Toll Road. Hardstanding area available at nearby car park.
NB. Redend Point to Handfast Point- No vehicular access.
RVP17
Knoll Beach Car Park
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – Handfast Point to South Haven Point
Cleanup
Priorities
S
2
1
1
1
W
2
2
2
2
Page 164