Work is set to begin on removing aging sea defences at Studland Beach, Dorset, allowing nature to reclaim and shape the coastline. The National Trust is leading this final phase of a five-year project focused on re-wilding the area and creating a natural sandy cove that supports local wildlife.
The stone, concrete, and metal gabion cages, originally filled with rocks, will be dismantled while the beach remains closed to the public. Licensed ecologists have already relocated vulnerable species such as sand lizards and slow worms to safe areas nearby in anticipation of the work, which is expected to continue until the end of October.
Despite the beach closure, the car park, café, and other small businesses will stay open. Public access to the beach will remain restricted, possibly for up to a year, depending on how the landscape stabilizes during the transformation.
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This initiative directly addresses the challenges of coastal erosion accelerated by climate change, which has caused dramatic cliff collapses—sometimes by as much as four metres overnight.
Tracey Churcher, general manager of National Trust Purbeck, explained, “The removal of the crumbling gabion sea defences and the concrete slipway marks the conclusion of a long process. These structures have become ineffective against rising tides, unstable, and unsafe for visitors.”
Rather than resisting inevitable coastal changes, the National Trust and local Shoreline Management Plan favor allowing the shore to realign naturally. This approach will protect nearby permanent buildings while restoring the landscape’s ecological balance.
Modeling predicts that the area will initially return to a sandy cove reminiscent of its traditional state, often recalled by long-time residents as ‘the local’s beach.’ Over time, the environment is expected to evolve into a rocky shore as sand shifts naturally down the coast toward Knoll Beach and Shell Bay.
Sarah Coggins, the Trust’s coast and marine adviser, noted, “Hard structures like gabions disrupt natural processes. Waves deflect off them, causing sand erosion and leaving the beach frequently submerged and inaccessible. Removing these barriers will enable the shore to replenish naturally, creating a more resilient coastline.”
While the early stages of these changes may seem drastic, projections indicate that within 20 years the cliffs will develop gentler slopes, enhancing protection against rising sea levels and storm impacts. This will also safeguard nearby facilities such as the car park.
Beyond coastal defense, the removal of sea defences will benefit wildlife habitats. Expanding open sandy areas will support insects and reptiles—including rare sand lizards and smooth snakes. The project also includes clearing invasive bracken and sycamore saplings to restore the surrounding sand dune ecosystem.
Ms. Churcher added, “We recognize the temporary inconvenience to visitors, but this is an essential step to secure Middle Beach’s future, preserving our natural heritage for generations to come.”