The document describes land use conflicts and solutions at Lulworth Cove in Dorset, England. It identifies various land users in the area, including tourists, the military, environmental groups, and local residents. Increased tourism has led to issues like traffic congestion, noise, litter, and erosion. Solutions that have been implemented include improving footpaths, limiting development, and coordinating with the military to improve access. However, some solutions like resurfacing parking areas have also introduced new problems. Effective management of competing interests in the coastal zone remains an ongoing challenge.

1. Dorset Coast
he Dorset Coast Land
se, Conflicts and
olutions

2. Aims
Describe how the physical environment creates
opportunities for economic and social land use.
Identify the land users in and around Lulworth Cove.
Identify land use conflicts between users at Lulworth Cove.
Identify how the conflicts have been resolved.
Assess their effectiveness.

3. The Physical Landscape
Some rocks, especially the Portland Stone, are very
resistant to erosion.
The weaker sands and clays, such as the Oxford Clay, are
easily eroded and can retreat over one metre annually.
Because of this differential erosion, the Dorset coast is
characterised by many headlands and bays, with beaches
of sand or pebbles.

4. The Dorset Coast geology – the endogenic factor!

5. Old Harry Rocks
Effects of the sea upon the the coast
are especially well illustrated at
Ballard Down.
well-developed stacks, arches and caves
have formed.

6. Old Harry Rocks

7. Opportunities for Land use
 The Dorset Coast from Lyme Regis in the west to Highcliffe in the east.
 The coastline is not only stunningly beautiful but also displays geological
sections of world importance.
 It boasts both a rich diversity of wildlife and marine archaeological finds
and a flourishing coastal economy
An ideal opportunity to study the impact of changes in the tertiary sector.
World Heritage Site Bid Document

8. Opportunities for Land Users
Tourism and Recreation.
Environmentalists - Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty
(AONB)
National Trust
South West Coast Path
National Trail.
The M.O.D
Fisheries and Harbours.
Farmers.
Local Landowners.
Local residents.

9. Restrictions imposed by the physical environment
Landslides.
Coastal erosion puts
property at risk.
Coastal Flooding.

10. Portland Bill, Christmas 2002, evidence of process and landform.

11. Lulworth Cove
HONEY POT
Lulworth Cove is a small bay
formed by wave action
eroding away the soft chalky
rocks that lie behind a band
of harder limestones that
form the bay mouth.

12. Durdle Door
South West
Coastal
Path
Pasture
for Sheep
farming.

13. Potential conflicts.
Tourism and Recreation.
UNESCO – World Heritage Site means restrictions on
alterations along much of the coast
Environmentalists - Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
(AONB)
National Trust
South West Coast Path National Trail.
The M.O.D
Fisheries and Harbours.
Farmers.
Local Landowners.
Local residents.

14. What attracts people to Lulworth?
 It is surrounded by outstanding
scenery and wildlife habitats.
 Located on the South West
Coastal Path.
 UNESCO World Heritage status
 The nearby fossil forest is an
important SSSI.
 The classic coastal features are of
interest to students of geography
and geology.
 West Lulworth is a picturesque
village with thatched cottages and
rural ambiance.
 Lulworth Castle – partially
restored.

15. Lulworth Tourism Figures
About 75 000 people visit Lulworth in a year.
35% of them come in 6 weeks during July and August.
Only 10% come during the four winter months November to
February.
95% of Lulworth’s vistors are day visitors.
Over 90% of visitors come by car or coach.
The Heritage Centre is Dorsets second most visited tourist
attraction and its most visited free attraction.
The footpath between Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door is the
busiest 1 mile stretch of the whole 600 mile SW Coastal Path.

16. Opportunities created by Tourism
Large numbers of visitors bring significant benefits
to a rural area which traditionally relied on fishing
and farming to sustain the economy.
Tourism provides substantial full time and seasonal
employment.
Tourism brings revenue into the local economy.
This results is greater social stability for the local
population.
Funds generated by tourism provide the Lulworth
estate with capital for investment at the Cove and
general estate improvements.

17. Tourists may find themselves in conflict with the
following groups:-
Local people
The M.O.D
Environmentalists

18. Possible conflict issues that arise
 Congestion – the road to Lulworth Cove is narrow and it is a dead end so this part
of the village has to absorb all the traffic.
 Noise and Litter – The traditional character of the village is spoiled during the
summer tourist months by vehicle noise and indiscriminate litter dropping.
 Inconciderate parking create access problems.
 General access difficulties when roads are closed.
 Restrictions which the ranges impose on walkers.
 Footpath erosion – This is pariculaly obvious on the path between Durdle Door
and Lulworth.
 Litter creates a visual pollution and threat to wildlife.
 Visual Intrusion Durdle Door holiday park is unsightly and out of keeping with the
landscape.

19. Locals Comments
“lots of holiday makers- the queues are bigger”
“Sometimes coaches park in the wrong place and no one
can get past”
“Lots of dog poo on the beach”
“lots of people have BBQ’s which can be dangerous and
start fires”
“The army range is noisy at night when tanks are firing. I
don’t like soldiers with machine guns guarding the Army
Camp”
“The gift shops are expensive – rip off”

20. soultion? Car Parking….
The car park at Lulworth is surfaced in chalk rubble but
 This stands out against the green landscape and it creates huge
amounts of dust.
 Car Parking charges are high and visitors may choose to avoid being
charged by parking on sides of roads and grass verges.

21. solution? MOD
Permitting access to ranges at weekends and busy
holiday periods.
Keeping roads open during the busiest holiday periods.
Noise levels associated with firing are much reduced at
these times.

22. Solution? Footpath Erosion
Footpath maintenance – much work has been carried out
to prevent further erosion.
This has been done by re routing paths.
Building new timber steps on the path at Durdle Door.
The existing path has been reinforced with local
limestone cobbles and steps.

23. How effective?
Resurfacing encourages more walkers.
The whiteness of the path is an unnatural scar on the
landscape.
Steps are unnatural and walkers often choose to avoid
them by walking on the side.

24. Additional Environmentally friendly policies
Durdle Door beach is intentionally uncommercial.
Litter bins are not provided.
Climbing on the cliffs is banned.
Fossil collection is not permitted.
There are plans to visually screen the holiday park.

25. Conflict Issues
 Coastal Zone Management - Issues
 The management of the coastal zone is complicated by a number of issues,
including:
 The diverse ownership of coastal land intertidal areas;
 A ‘hostile’ marine environment;
 The number of competing activities within a relatively ‘narrow’ area;
 Conflicting issues and activities i.e. economic vs. environment;
 Over 80 Acts dealing with the regulation of activities in the coastal zone;
 No current legislation that explicitly addresses coastal management;
 The lack of an overview or lead agency ;
 Coastal issues usually transgress political boundaries.
 Coastal Zone Management in practice - Dorset: