136 - South Purbeck : Summary and Headline Statements of Environmental Opportunity

Summary

South Purbeck National Character Area (NCA) is a compact but highly diverse landscape. The geology of the area results in a range of distinct landscapes. These include the steep Purbeck chalk ridge and the gentle Corfe and Swan Vales. They also include the coastal slope at Kimmeridge, and the chalk downland around Chaldon Herring. The entire NCA is within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The dramatic coast features cliffs, bays, stacks, arches and coves, allowing the geology to be seen. The beauty of the coast is recognised through Heritage Coast status. The outstanding geology and fossil record has been designated as the East Devon and Dorset World Heritage Site. The area is popularly referred to as the Jurassic Coast.

Many areas of coastal habitat are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), often due to important coastal grassland. Corfe Common is an SSSI, an SAC and part of the Dorset Heaths Ramsar site. Durlston Head and its surrounds are a National Nature Reserve and Country Park. Coastal cliffs are breeding areas for a range of sea birds. The vegetated coastal cliffs are of exceptional botanical quality.

Land use is mainly agricultural with pasture, arable and natural habitats. The combination of these habitats with the geology and landform gives the area its special character. The stunning landscape, with interesting geology and plants, gives the area high recreational value. The South West Coast Path links to a good network of public rights of way to provide access across the area.

Headline Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEO)

See the Statements of Environmental Opportunity section for more details on the headlines listed below.

SEO 1

Conserving and promoting South Purbeck’s unique geodiversity including the Jurassic Coast coastline, the suite of national and local geological sites and the highly legible relationship between geology, soils, landform and land use. Maintaining and enhancing access, including via the South West Coast Path National Trail, and providing interpretation to enhance educational and recreational opportunities. In both cases, placing the local community at the heart of this opportunity, through engagement and participation.

SEO 2

Helping the communities of South Purbeck to protect, manage and enhance the diverse but coherent landscape character and tranquillity of this rural NCA, conserving the mixed farming land use which contributes to food provision, and a distinct landscape pattern, reducing the risk of soil erosion and strengthening resilience to climate change.

SEO 3

Maintaining and enhancing the calcareous, acid and neutral grassland, ancient woodland, parkland, coastal cliffs, quarries, fen meadows and flushes, arable farmland and offshore reefs that are the key semi-natural habitats of this area. Additionally, conserving and strengthening the populations of the distinctive suite of species that are characteristic of the NCA.

SEO 4

Protecting and managing the rich time depth and landscape texture created by the wealth of heritage assets located within the NCA, engaging both visitors and local communities in understanding the relationship between historic environment, geodiversity and biodiversity in the evolution of South Purbeck to the present day.