COASTLINE DESCRIPTION
Variability
Along
Sector
The shore zone of Sector 10 possesses an overall homogeneity imposed
by the rocky shore coast of cliffs and rocky beaches. The coastline is gently
concave-convex with reefs. The main contrasts along the unit are provided
by variation in steepness and height of the backing cliffs, the presence of a
variety of coastal cliff features and variation in the rocky littoral zone.
Backshore
Zone
Four types of shoreline occur within the overall rocky shore of Sector 10.
These are shingle shores, boulder beaches, rocky platforms and plunging
cliffs.
The upper Backshore along the coastal edge consist of cliffs with
predominantly shingle lower Backshore. The cliff coastline to the west of
the unit, formed in the Jurassic Kimmeridge Clay, is steep, partially
vegetated and slumped. The cliffs between Redcliff Point and Ringstead
Bay are characterised by mass movement features. The cliffs range in
height from above 50 - 60m to about 10m.
Intertidal
Zone
The shingle beaches occur as cliff-foot beaches beneath both the
Kimmeridge Clay and chalk cliffs. The shingle frequently has a very steep
beach face. In places, the steep beach face has been moulded into beach
cusps; crescentic mounds of shingle that are located at the high water
mark. The shingle beaches may be up to 30 - 50m wide in places.
Some of the shingle beaches have rocky platforms and reefs exposed at
low tide. Narrow shingle beaches therefore usually separate the rock
platforms from the cliff-foot. The platforms tend to be discontinuous and
are low angle, low relief features that commonly carry a sediment veneer of
cobbles, pebbles and a covering of organic matter. The platforms are
frequently 40 - 50m in width and may extend out to 100m in width in
isolated places. Rock platforms and ledges without a significant veneer of
loose sediment occur along about 10% of the coastal edge of the unit, as
for example immediately east of Osmington Mills. These platforms again
tend to be narrow, discontinuous features.
The intertidal zones of the boulder beaches are narrow features that
consist of poorly sorted loose sediment. These occur as aprons at the
base of the cliffs, and are again cliff-foot beaches. Boulder beaches may
also be associated with short discontinuous platforms. At White Nothe the
cliffs are true plunging cliffs. Here the cliffs plunge into the water without a
basal rock platform or cliff-foot beach.
Wave
Energy
Wave energy is high as indicated by the presence of high energy beach
forms such as well sorted steep shingle beaches, beach cusps and wave
cut rock platforms, particularly those swept clean of sediment.
Man-made
features
None
The intertidal substrate along this section of coastline is relatively uniform,
Marine
consisting of a cliff coastline with a rocky shore. Of interest with regard to
Biology:
rocky shore flora and fauna is Osmington Mills (SY 735 816), where large
Littoral Zone
boulders and rock ledges support a good algal cover of fucoids and red and
assessment
green seaweed species with associated attached fauna.
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – Redcliffe Point to White Nothe
Page 137
CONSERVATION
Sensitive
Marine
Areas
This site supports populations of several rare plants and animals. This
stretch of coastline, consisting of vertical cliff, undercliffs and Landslips is of
international geological importance. Many of the rock units contain fossils,
some of which are internationally significant.
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
As with Sector 12 the coastal edge cliffs bind Redcliff Point to White Nothe,
but there are a number of important holiday centres along the coastal edge.
Tourism and These include Redcliff beach, Ringstead Bay, and Osmington Mills. These
Recreation
are the main access points to the coastal edge. Shore fishing is very
popular along the coastal edge and takes place from all the major access
points listed.
Fisheries
and
Mariculture
Trawling takes place in the coastal waters.
Industrial
N/A
Expected
Claim Areas
TBA
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – Redcliffe Point to White Nothe
Page 138
CLEAN-UP STRATEGY
Local
Agreements
Special
Consideration
Water Table - ease of clean up on sandy beaches may depend on height of
water table.
Leave oil to degrade naturally.
Annual collection of tarballs and other oily debris.
Agreed
No dispersants to be used in cliff areas.
Treatment
Avoid excessive disturbance to seabirds during breeding season.
(Natural
England and No dispersants to be used in cliff areas. Oil to degrade naturally no action
March - August because of nesting birds.
Local
Authorities)
Allow oil in amenity areas to degrade naturally if possible e.g. out of
season. Otherwise use mechanical removal and limited use of
dispersants
Equipment
Guidelines
Held Locally:
 None
Other Sources of Equipment:
 MCA Stockpile.
 Equipment held for Fleet Lagoon Booming Plan.
 Weymouth Harbour Boom.
Containment
and Recovery
There are no really effective methods that would completely protect this
extensive, cliff bound and rocky shoreline other than at-sea cleans up. All
the shores in the unit are exposed or moderately exposed and have some
degree of self-cleaning capability. The waters off the unit are used by
nesting birds for feeding.
Temporary
Storage
Lined skips would be required for on-site storage of recovered oil or oily
debris.
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – Redcliffe Point to White Nothe
Page 139
SENSITIVITY SCORE WORKSHEET
ECONOMIC
range
S
W
AESTHETIC
range
S
W
Income or Use
Reduction
0-4
2
1
Scenic Quality
0-4
4
4
Natural Resource
Damage
0-4
3
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
4
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
2
1
Effect of Oil
0-4
3
2
Biological Productivity
0-4
1
1
Degree of Direct Contact 0-4
2
1
Ecological Significance
0-4
3
3
Amount of Use
0-4
2
1
Unique Habitat Uses
0-4
1
1
Treatment before Use
0-4
2
2
Ecological Vulnerability
0-4
3
2
Sub Total
0-20
12
7
Sub Total
0-20
10
8
Total Sensitivity Rating
0-64
40
31
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
2
Public Pressure
0-4
2
1
Time Restrictions
0-4
2
1
Sub Total
12
7
4
TOTAL SENSITIVITY
0-64
40
31
TOTAL MODIFIED
SENSITIVITY
0-76
47
35
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – Redcliffe Point to White Nothe
Page 140
Sector 11 Redcliffe Point (SY710 816)to White Nothe (SY771
807)









RVP 10
Length of Coastline - 6.5km
Straight Line Distance - 6.0km
Aspect – southerly
Exposure – exposed
Coastline Description - open cliff bound coast with a rocky
shore
Conservation - geological SSSI along South Dorset Coast;
White Nothe is a DWT reserve.
Resources at Risk - a number of important holiday centres are
located at the main access sites. Trawling takes place in the
coastal waters.
Clean-up Strategy - prioritise for amenity sites, biologically
sensitive DWT reserve and commercial fisheries.
Access to Shoreline - at Ringstead and Osmington Mills only.
Map Crown Copyright - Map Scale 1cm = 0.258
Resources at Risk – Seasonality Table
Feature
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Peak Tourism &
Recreation
Commercial Fishing
Sport Angling
Seabird Concentrations
CPU6a
CPU6b
Access 33
CPU6d
CPU6c
Access 34
CPU5b
Access 35
CPU6e
Sector 10 White Nothe to Redcliffe point
= Sector Boundary
Natural England Designations , Habitats & Coastal Schedules
EN
Designation &
Conservation
Site Name
Sche
Habitat
Interest
dule
SSSI- Biological &
South Dorset
Nesting seabirds,
Geological, pSAC,
DT08
Coast
Slumped cliffs
cSAC
Site Name
White Nothe Undercliff
Burning Cliff
South Down Farm
Purbeck Heritage Coast
Dorset AONB
S/M/P
Unit
Protection Practical and other Remarks
Cleanup
Priorities
S
W
No
3
3
No
3
3
No
3
3
AY
No
2
2
AY
No
3
3
Key Sensitive Features & Importance
EA
Rating
MPS
CPU6a
SSSI, (P) WHS, Eelgrass Beds, Amenity
B1
AY
CPU6b
SSSI, (P) WHS, Eelgrass Beds, Amenity
B1
AY
CPU6c
SSSI, (P) WHS, Eelgrass Beds, Amenity
B1
AY
CPU6d
SSSI, (P) WHS, Eelgrass Beds, Amenity
B1
CPU6e
SSSI, (P) WHS, Eelgrass Beds, Amenity
B1
Sensitivity
Score
S
W
Managed Sites
Managing Body
National Trust/Dorset Wildlife Trust
National Trust
National Trust
Dorset C.C. / The Countryside
Commission
Dorset C.C. / The Countryside
Commission
47
35
Access to Shoreline and Rendezvous Points (RVPs)
34.
Ringstead Bay (SY 752 814) accessible for all vehicles off A353 and then via track leading from unclassified road at SY 747 826. Hardstanding at cafe car park, with slipway accessed via locked gate (key with cafe owner).
35.
Osmington Mills (SY 735 817) to car park on cliff top above rocky bay. Hardstanding on car park. Otherwise no access. Narrow slipway accessed by foot only.
RVP10
Ringstead Beach Car Park
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – Redcliffe Point to White Nothe
Page 141