The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has formally submitted an application to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for a marine licence concerning the management of beach sediments along the coastline stretching from Durlston Head to Hurst Spit. This regulatory request, filed under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, signals a significant step in the local authority’s ongoing strategy to maintain coastal defenses and manage the impacts of erosion along this sensitive stretch of the English Channel.
The application, officially registered as “Area 2105,” concerns the movement, extraction, and potential replenishment of sediments within the coastal zone. This area is a critical section of the Dorset and Hampshire coastline, characterized by high-energy wave action, significant longshore drift, and complex geological features. For coastal councils, sediment management is a primary tool for mitigating flood risk and preventing the degradation of public infrastructure, including promenades, sea walls, and residential assets.
According to the statutory notice issued by the council, the proposed activities fall under the purview of the MMO, the executive non-departmental public body responsible for the regulation of activities in the marine environment around England. As the competent authority, the MMO is tasked with ensuring that any proposed works—ranging from beach nourishment and replenishment to the removal of excessive sediment build-up—comply with the UK Marine Policy Statement and relevant marine plans.
The stretch of coast identified in the application includes some of the most dynamic environments in Southern England. Durlston Head, located near Swanage, marks the beginning of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, while Hurst Spit is a unique, naturally formed shingle bank that provides essential protection for the Western Solent and the Keyhaven Marshes. Any intervention in this area requires a rigorous environmental impact assessment (EIA) to ensure that dredging or sediment displacement does not adversely affect local marine biodiversity, including protected habitats and species.
Environmental stakeholders, coastal geomorphologists, and local residents are keeping a close watch on the application process. The primary concern in such projects is the potential disruption of natural sediment transport processes. If the council proposes “recharging” beaches—adding sand or shingle to bolster defenses—the material must be carefully sourced to ensure it is compatible with existing geology. Conversely, if the project involves removing sediment to clear navigation channels or manage accretion, authorities must prove that the removal will not destabilize nearby cliffs or dunes.
Under the Marine and Coastal Access Act, the MMO provides an opportunity for public consultation before a licence is granted. This allows stakeholders to raise concerns regarding potential impacts on commercial fishing, recreational water use, and the ecological integrity of the coastline. The BCP Council’s submission is expected to include comprehensive technical reports detailing the scope of the works, the mitigation strategies for noise and sediment plume dispersal, and a long-term plan for monitoring the ecological health of the coastal area post-intervention.
As sea levels rise and the intensity of winter storms increases due to climate change, local authorities across the UK are finding themselves under mounting pressure to bolster coastal defences. However, the move toward “soft engineering”—such as beach replenishment—has become more common as a sustainable alternative to the construction of concrete sea walls, which can often exacerbate erosion further down the coast.
The MMO has invited interested parties to review the application and provide feedback. Should the licence be approved, it will set the regulatory framework for the council’s sediment management activities in the designated area for the duration of the permit. The council’s ability to successfully balance the urgent need for coastal protection with the conservation of this highly significant marine environment will be the key test as the application moves through the formal review process.
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