COASTLINE DESCRIPTION
Variability
Along
Sector
After a short promenade at West Bay, slumping cliffs fronted by graded
shingle shores characterise the remainder of the sector.
Backshore
Zone
Pebbles covered by material from falling cliffs. Rare plants in undercliff
area including the only outcrop of Slender Centaury (a Red Data book
species) on the mainland.
Intertidal
Zone
Consists almost entirely of shingle with occasional exposed rock surfaces.
Wave
Energy
Very powerful leading to movement of shingle banks.
Man-made
features
Promenade at West Bay with massive sea defence at Harbour entrance.
Marine
Biology:
Littoral Zone
Assessment
Shifting shingle and rock. Sea rocks give shelter to many crustaceans in
the area of Thorncombe Beacon.
CONSERVATION
Sensitive
Marine
Areas
Shingle and sand backed by cliff. SSSIs with strong botanical interest
There are three towns that lie adjacent to the coast (Bothenhampton,
Charmouth and Lyme Regis).
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 the SRC information file.
All Dorset Sectors are SMA’s.
RESOURCES AT RISK
Tourism and Popular with campers, walkers and shore fishing. Also fossil collecting,
Recreation
both amateur and professional.
Fisheries
and
Mariculture
Commercial boat fishing from the Harbour.
Industrial
N/A
Expected
Claim Areas
TBA
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets –Seatown to West Bay
Page 101
CLEAN-UP STRATEGY
Local
Agreements
Special
Considerations
Water Table - ease of clean up on sandy beaches may depend on height of
water table.
Agreed
Treatment
(Natural England
and Local
Authorities)
Leave oil to degrade naturally. Amenity areas should be cleared of oil
during the holiday season, using mechanical or manual methods.
No dispersants to be used without prior consultation with the Maritime
Management Organisation.
Equipment
Guidelines
Held locally
 Weymouth Harbour Boom
 Oil pollution equipment held by Portland Port
Containment
and Recovery
There are no effective methods available that would protect this extensive
shingle shoreline other than at-sea clean up. Small boats are able to reach
fairly close inshore
Temporary
Storage
Lined skips would be required for on-site storage of recovered oil or oily
debris.
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets –Seatown to West Bay
Page 102
SENSITIVITY SCORE WORKSHEET
ECONOMIC
range
S
W
AESTHETIC
range
S
W
Income or Use
Reduction
0-4
2
1
Scenic Quality
0-4
4
4
Natural Resource
Damage
0-4
1
1
Visual Impact
0-4
4
4
Replacement /
Restoration Costs
0-4
1
1
Local Appreciation
0-4
4
4
0-12
4
3
Sub Total
0-12
12
12
range
S
W
ENVIRONMENTAL
range
S
W
0-4
3
1
Water quality
Degradation
0-4
1
1
0-4
3
1
Biological Productivity
0-4
1
1
0-4
2
1
Ecological Significance
0-4
2
1
0-4
2
1
Unique Habitat Uses
0-4
1
1
0-4
2
1
Ecological Vulnerability
0-4
2
1
0-20
12
5
Sub Total
0-20
7
5
Sub Total
SOCIAL
Purpose of Use
Effect of Oil
Degree of Direct Contact
Amount of Use
Treatment before Use
Sub Total
Total Sensitivity Rating
0-64
AREA SENSITIVITY RANKING The outside considerations listed below can be added to
the total sensitivity rating to modify the score
OUTSIDE
CONSIDERATIONS
Political Pressure
Public Pressure
Time Restrictions
Sub Total
TOTAL SENSITIVITY
TOTAL MODIFIED
SENSITIVITY
range
S
W
0-4
3
3
0-4
3
3
0-4
2
2
12
8
8
0-64
35
25
0-76
43
33
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets –Seatown to West Bay
Page 103
Sector 3 Seatown (SY 420 917) to West Bay (SY 462 917)

Length of Coastline - 5.3km

Straight Line Distance - 4.8km

Aspect - Southerly

Exposure - very exposed

Coastline Description - development at West Bay, then
uniform shingle shoreline backed by slumping cliffs.

Conservation - geological SSSI

Resources at Risk - area popular with campers, walkers,
anglers and fossil collectors.

Clean-up Strategy - prioritize for amenity area

Access to Shoreline - limited to West Bay, Eype's Mouth and
Seatown
Map Crown Copyright - Map Scale 1cm = 0.1611 km
RVP 3
Seasonality Table of 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
Access 5
Access 6
MU5 g
Access 7
Natural England Designations , Habitats & Coastal Schedules
Site Name
Designation & Habitat Conservation
EN
Interest
Sche
dule
West Dorset
SSSI- Biological &
Slumped cliffs,
DT13
Coast
Geological, pSAC,
undercliffs
seabirds
Sector 3 Seatown to West Bay
= Boundary of Sector
MU4a
MU4b
Managed Sites
Site Name
Managing Body
West Dorset Heritage Coast
Dorset County Council
The Countryside Commission
Dorset County Council
The Countryside Commission
RVP 4
S/M/P Unit
Key Sensitive Features & Importance
EA
Rati
ng
MP
S
Sensitivity
Score
S
W
Protection Practical
Cleanup
Priorities
S
W
MU5g
SSSI, SAC, WHS
B1
AY
43
33
No
2
2
MU4a
SSSI, SAC, WHS
B1
AY
43
33
No
1
1
Access to Shoreline and Rendezvous Points (RVPs)
5.
Seatown (SY 421 917) - small area of hardstanding close to narrow shingle beach. Access from A35 road at Chideock (SY 423 928)
6.
Eype's Mouth (SY 448 910) - very small area of hardstanding some 75 feet above beach on cliff top - no further access to beach for vehicles.
7.
West Bay Promenade (SY 462 904) gives limited access to this portion of shoreline.
RVP3
Car park at Seatown (421 917)
RVP4
Car park by old gravel workings at West Bay opposite pub (465 904)
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets –Seatown to West Bay
Page 104