COASTLINE DESCRIPTION
Variability
Along
Sector
Uniform open beaches of small pebbles.
Backshore
Zone
Pebble beach backed by Burton Mere at eastern end then beach narrows
and is backed by vertical sandstone cliffs.
Intertidal
Zone
Pebbles.
Wave
Energy
Very powerful.
Man-made
features
Sea defences at Harbour entrance at West Bay.
Marine
Biology:
Littoral Zone
Assessment
Reed beds at Burton Mere associated with nesting Warblers. Wild orchids
and other plants of endangered species West Bexington to Cogden Beach.
CONSERVATION
Vegetated shingle beach enclosing a large tidal lagoon, which consists of
mudflats and saltmarsh leading to shingle and sand, backed by cliff.
Sensitive
Marine
Areas
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
Tourism and
A popular tourist area for campers, walkers and shore fishing.
Recreation
Fisheries
and
Mariculture
Commercial boat fishing from the Harbour at West Bay.
Industrial
N/A
Expected
Claim Areas
TBA
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – West Bay to West Bexington
Page 105
CLEAN-UP STRATEGY
Local
Agreements
Special
Consideration
s
Water Table - ease of clean up on sandy beaches may depend on the
height of water table.
Agreed
Treatment
(Natural
No dispersants to be used without prior consultation with the Maritime
England and Management Organisation (MMO) Oil should be left to degrade naturally.
Local
Authorities)
Equipment
Guidelines
Held locally
 MCA Stockpiles
 Weymouth Harbour Boom
Containment
and Recovery
There are no effective methods that would protect this extensive pebble
shoreline other than at sea clean up. All the shores are exposed and have
some degree of self-cleaning capability.
Temporary
Storage
Lined skips would be required for on-site storage of recovered oil or oily
debris.
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – West Bay to West Bexington
Page 106
SENSITIVITY SCORE WORKSHEET
ECONOMIC
range
S
W
AESTHETIC
range
S
W
Income or Use
Reduction
0-4
3
2
Scenic Quality
0-4
4
4
Natural Resource
Damage
0-4
2
2
Visual Impact
0-4
4
4
Replacement /
Restoration Costs
0-4
1
1
Local Appreciation
0-4
4
4
Sub Total
0-12
6
5
Sub Total
0-12
12
12
SOCIAL
range
S
W
ENVIRONMENTAL
range
S
W
Purpose of Use
0-4
3
1
Water quality
Degradation
0-4
3
3
Effect of Oil
0-4
3
1
Biological Productivity
0-4
1
1
Degree of Direct Contact 0-4
2
1
Ecological Significance
0-4
3
2
Amount of Use
0-4
3
1
Unique Habitat Uses
0-4
1
1
Treatment before Use
0-4
2
1
Ecological Vulnerability
0-4
3
1
Sub Total
0-20
13
5
Sub Total
0-20
11
8
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
range
S
W
Political Pressure
0-4
3
3
Public Pressure
0-4
3
3
Time Restrictions
0-4
2
2
Sub Total
12
8
8
TOTAL SENSITIVITY
0-64
42
30
TOTAL MODIFIED
SENSITIVITY
0-76
50
38
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – West Bay to West Bexington
Page 107
Sector 4 West Bay (SY 462 903) to West Bexington (SY 531 864)
Access 7
MU4a
MU4b
Access 8
RVP 4
Access 9

Length of Coastline - 8.3km.

Straight Line Distance - N /A

Aspect - South-westerly

Exposure - very exposed

Coastline Description - uniform shingle beach

Conservation - geological SSSI; DWT reserve at West
Bexington.

Resources at Risk - popular tourist area for campers, walkers
and shore fishing. Commercial boat fishing from the Harbour at
West Bay.

Clean-up Strategy - prioritize for commercial fishing,
ecologically sensitive and popular amenity area.

Access to Shoreline - good
Access 10
Map Crown Copyright - Map Scale 1cm = 0.2860 km
Seasonality Table for 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
MU5 a
Access 11
Sector 4 West Bay to West Bexington
= Boundary of Sector
Natural England Designations , Habitats & Coastal Schedules
Site Name
Designation &
Conservation
EN
Habitat
Interest
Sche
dule
Chesil, The
SSSI- Shingle Beach; Botanical;
DT12
Fleet and
Reed beds; cliffs
waders; seabirds;
West Dorset
geological
Coast
Access 12
RVP 5
Site Name
West Bexington
Reserve
Dorset A.O.N.B.
Managed Sites
Managing Body
Dorset Wildlife Trust
Dorset County Council/Countryside
Commission
RVP 7
S/M/P Unit
Key Sensitive Features & Importance
EA
Rati
ng
MP
S
Sensitivity
Score
S
W
Protection Practical
Cleanup
Priorities
S
W
MU4b
SSSI, Amenity, Fishing
B2
MS
50
38
No
2
2
MU3a
SSSI, SAC, WHS, Plants, Invertebrates
A1
AY
50
38
No
3
3
Access to Shoreline and Rendezvous Points (RVPs)
8.
West Bay (SY 464 904) - hardstanding on pebble beach used for gravel extraction 150 yards from shoreline, adjacent to unclassified road between the B3157 and West Bay.
9.
Freshwater Caravan Site (SY 478 897) - access and hardstanding 140 yards from shoreline with pebble beach intervening. Access from B3157 at SY 478 902.
10.
Burton Beach (SY 491 888) - small car park at edge of beach, accessed by Beach Road from B3157 at SY 491 893.
11.
Cogden Beach (SY 504 883) - hard ground used as car park 75 yards from shore and suitable as hardstanding on landwards side of Chesil Bank is accessed by a narrow track from the B3157 at SY 503 886.
12.
West Bexington (SY 532 865) - large car park, 80 yards from shore with ample hardstanding on landwards side of Chesil Bank is accessed by narrow road from the B3157 at Swyre (SY 528 881)
RVP4
Car park by gravel workings opposite pub
RVP5
West Bexington (SY 532 865) - large car park, 80 yards from shore with ample hardstanding on landwards side of Chesil Bank is accessed by narrow road from the B3157 at Swyre (SY 528 881)
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – West Bay to West Bexington
Page 108