Your views on Sand Dunes at Sandbanks

This engagement has closed. You can read the report here.

The feedback received from this engagement has enabled us to get a good understanding of the value of the sand dunes in the area and how people view them, as well as how they are currently managed and how they could be managed better in the future.

We will use this information and insight to develop some possible options for how the sand dunes may be managed in the future. This will include discussions with stakeholders representing the range of views expressed via the recent survey to ensure that all viewpoints continue to inform development of a future improved approach to sand dune management in this area.

Respondents agreed most with the statement, “The sand dunes at Sandbanks provide important habitat for rare and protected species including sand lizards and native plants”. They also said the most important measures for managing the sand dunes at Sandbanks in the future were to:

  • Protect the sand dunes to help prevent flooding and coastal erosion
  • Protect the sand dunes for sand lizards and other protected species
  • Protect the sand dunes from visitors trampling on them.

When respondents were asked to explain why the measures they chose were important to them, most said it was for reasons relating to protecting the natural environment.

All the views given were read and contributed to the final engagement report.

If you have any questions, please email coastal@bcpcouncil.gov.uk(External link).

Engagement

We asked residents and businesses for their views on the management of sand dunes at Sandbanks in Poole. These views will help us develop the options for sand dune management which we will then formally consult on as part of the Sandbanks Dune Management Study(External link).

Sandbanks is host to a system of sand dunes which provide a natural form of protection against coastal erosion. Dunes are part of the area's character and play an important role creating habitat for rare and protected species. However, their spread can result in the build-up of sand affecting access points to the beach and cause wind-blown sand to build-up near to or on property. The dune habitat can also be trampled or damaged by beach users.

What are sand dunes?
Sand dunes are ridges of sand found at the top of the beach, formed by the build up of wind-blown sand. Vegetation helps to stabilise the dunes by binding the sand together with their roots.

Why are they important?
Sand dunes provide important, cost-effective and natural protection to inland areas which prevents flooding and coastal erosion which can damage properties and infrastructure. They also provide crucial habitat to native plants and lizard species.

What are the challenges?

As sand lizards / protected species are now found in the sand dunes, it means we have a legal duty to protect the sand dune habitat for the benefit of these species. This limits what, when, where and how any works can occur to address the management of the following challenges:

  • Storms - periodically cause the seaward side of dunes to erode, reducing the coast protection and habitat functions of the dunes
  • Visitor trampling - excessive/repetitive trampling of sand dune habitat can reduce/destroy vegetation height and cover
  • Beach accessibility - some access paths have become buried by sand, preventing easy access to the beach for all users
  • Sand encroachment - stormy winters can cause a build-up of wind-blown sand on the promenade, beach huts, buildings and property walls which are not designed to take the weight of sand building up against them
  • Reduction of sea views - the height and spread of sand dunes may block views from land and properties behind the dunes
  • Reduction of privacy - the height and spread of dunes may reduce the level of privacy properties behind the dunes have.

How to take part

Respondents could tell us their views by:

  • Reading the briefing document and completing the online survey
  • Dropping pins and commenting on specific areas of Sandbanks using the interactive map
  • Paper versions of the information document and survey were available in all of BCP's libraries(External link)
  • Downloading a paper copy of the survey on this page and returning it to the address below by the deadline:

    Sandbanks Sand Dune Survey, Research and Consultation Team, BCP Council, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth, BH2 6DY; or drop them into the 'Have Your Say' boxes in any of BCP’s libraries(External link).

The survey closed at midnight on 30 September 2024. If you have any questions or need the survey in a different format, please email coastal@bcpcouncil.gov.uk(External link).


This engagement has closed. You can read the report here.

The feedback received from this engagement has enabled us to get a good understanding of the value of the sand dunes in the area and how people view them, as well as how they are currently managed and how they could be managed better in the future.

We will use this information and insight to develop some possible options for how the sand dunes may be managed in the future. This will include discussions with stakeholders representing the range of views expressed via the recent survey to ensure that all viewpoints continue to inform development of a future improved approach to sand dune management in this area.

Respondents agreed most with the statement, “The sand dunes at Sandbanks provide important habitat for rare and protected species including sand lizards and native plants”. They also said the most important measures for managing the sand dunes at Sandbanks in the future were to:

  • Protect the sand dunes to help prevent flooding and coastal erosion
  • Protect the sand dunes for sand lizards and other protected species
  • Protect the sand dunes from visitors trampling on them.

When respondents were asked to explain why the measures they chose were important to them, most said it was for reasons relating to protecting the natural environment.

All the views given were read and contributed to the final engagement report.

If you have any questions, please email coastal@bcpcouncil.gov.uk(External link).

Engagement

We asked residents and businesses for their views on the management of sand dunes at Sandbanks in Poole. These views will help us develop the options for sand dune management which we will then formally consult on as part of the Sandbanks Dune Management Study(External link).

Sandbanks is host to a system of sand dunes which provide a natural form of protection against coastal erosion. Dunes are part of the area's character and play an important role creating habitat for rare and protected species. However, their spread can result in the build-up of sand affecting access points to the beach and cause wind-blown sand to build-up near to or on property. The dune habitat can also be trampled or damaged by beach users.

What are sand dunes?
Sand dunes are ridges of sand found at the top of the beach, formed by the build up of wind-blown sand. Vegetation helps to stabilise the dunes by binding the sand together with their roots.

Why are they important?
Sand dunes provide important, cost-effective and natural protection to inland areas which prevents flooding and coastal erosion which can damage properties and infrastructure. They also provide crucial habitat to native plants and lizard species.

What are the challenges?

As sand lizards / protected species are now found in the sand dunes, it means we have a legal duty to protect the sand dune habitat for the benefit of these species. This limits what, when, where and how any works can occur to address the management of the following challenges:

  • Storms - periodically cause the seaward side of dunes to erode, reducing the coast protection and habitat functions of the dunes
  • Visitor trampling - excessive/repetitive trampling of sand dune habitat can reduce/destroy vegetation height and cover
  • Beach accessibility - some access paths have become buried by sand, preventing easy access to the beach for all users
  • Sand encroachment - stormy winters can cause a build-up of wind-blown sand on the promenade, beach huts, buildings and property walls which are not designed to take the weight of sand building up against them
  • Reduction of sea views - the height and spread of sand dunes may block views from land and properties behind the dunes
  • Reduction of privacy - the height and spread of dunes may reduce the level of privacy properties behind the dunes have.

How to take part

Respondents could tell us their views by:

  • Reading the briefing document and completing the online survey
  • Dropping pins and commenting on specific areas of Sandbanks using the interactive map
  • Paper versions of the information document and survey were available in all of BCP's libraries(External link)
  • Downloading a paper copy of the survey on this page and returning it to the address below by the deadline:

    Sandbanks Sand Dune Survey, Research and Consultation Team, BCP Council, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth, BH2 6DY; or drop them into the 'Have Your Say' boxes in any of BCP’s libraries(External link).

The survey closed at midnight on 30 September 2024. If you have any questions or need the survey in a different format, please email coastal@bcpcouncil.gov.uk(External link).


Sandbanks Sand Dunes Interactive Map

23 days

In addition to your main response to the online survey, you can also make comments on the Sandbanks area by dropping pins onto the interactive map:

1. Click below to open the map

2. Once opened, you can zoom in and out, and drag to move around the screen 

3. The two sand dunes the survey relates to are highlighted in purple

4. To see other users’ thoughts, simply click on pins that appear on the map

5. To add a pin click the + button on the left-hand side. Drag and drop a pin onto the map, where you can leave a comment or image. 

6. Please note: everything you put on the map is accessible to others, so it is encouraged not to reveal any personal information.

Anything you decide to share with us will remain private and confidential in line with GDPR guidelines.

Thank you, we value your participation.

CLOSED: This map engagement has concluded.
Page last updated: 10 Feb 2025, 11:03 AM