Case study- the Dorset coast
Land use conflicts and solutions
Due to the variety of different land uses, disagreement inevitably occurs. Most of this conflict is due to the mass influx of tourists to the region, especially during summer months.
As there are so many different landowners and land users many conflicts arise, various management strategies are designed to minimise these conflicts.
Conflict 1: locals vs tourists
| Problems | Solutions |
| Increased traffic congestion especially in 'honeypot' areas such as Corfe Castle | A steam railway line from Swanage to Corfe allows sightseers access and minimises congestion on the road |
| Increased traffic leads to a rise in noise and air pollution | Train lines, bus routes, cycle paths and boat trips offer alternative forms of transport |
| Unsightly footpaths and erosion of sand dunes because of the number of visitors | The National Trust and Dorset Wildlife Trust buy and manage land, eg surface footpaths |
| Increase in litter and fires especially on the beaches, eg Chesil Beach | Local authorities fine for littering or dumping. Voluntary litter picks arranged |
| Fragile wildlife habitats may be destroyed by walkers | Replant marram grass to conserve vegetation and sand dunes at Sites of Special Scientific Interest, eg Studland |
| Wildlife is disturbed on the beaches | To protect wildlife, nature reserves such as Brownsea Island have been created (National Nature Reserves) |
| Second home ownership increases, causing local first time buyers to struggle to get on the property ladder | National Government offer help to first time buyers through affordable home ownership schemes |
| Problems | Increased traffic congestion especially in 'honeypot' areas such as Corfe Castle |
|---|---|
| Solutions | A steam railway line from Swanage to Corfe allows sightseers access and minimises congestion on the road |
| Problems | Increased traffic leads to a rise in noise and air pollution |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Train lines, bus routes, cycle paths and boat trips offer alternative forms of transport |
| Problems | Unsightly footpaths and erosion of sand dunes because of the number of visitors |
|---|---|
| Solutions | The National Trust and Dorset Wildlife Trust buy and manage land, eg surface footpaths |
| Problems | Increase in litter and fires especially on the beaches, eg Chesil Beach |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Local authorities fine for littering or dumping. Voluntary litter picks arranged |
| Problems | Fragile wildlife habitats may be destroyed by walkers |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Replant marram grass to conserve vegetation and sand dunes at Sites of Special Scientific Interest, eg Studland |
| Problems | Wildlife is disturbed on the beaches |
|---|---|
| Solutions | To protect wildlife, nature reserves such as Brownsea Island have been created (National Nature Reserves) |
| Problems | Second home ownership increases, causing local first time buyers to struggle to get on the property ladder |
|---|---|
| Solutions | National Government offer help to first time buyers through affordable home ownership schemes |
Tourists vs tourists
| Problems | Solutions |
| There are about 18 different land users in Poole Harbour and 4,000 boats use the area during peak periods | Zoning of areas ensures that different activities are kept apart, eg at Poole Harbour. Speed limits have been put in place |
| Tourist facilities such as car parks, camp/caravan sites and marinas spoil the look of the coast | World Heritage Site Status allows local authorities to protect the coast from over-development with strict planning controls |
| Swimmers and sunbathers may be disturbed by the noise of motor boats | An Aquatic Management Plan encourages quiet areas (zones) |
| Anglers, eg at Chesil Beach may be disrupted by activities such as water skiing | Public education schemes, eg guide books, leaflets and signs are designed to promote responsible tourism |
| As many as 20,000 visitors can visit Studland beach on a hot day in the summer | Local authorities comply with the EU Blue Flag Scheme on beach quality |
| Visitors' dogs can dirty the beaches and footpaths | Poop scoop schemes have been set up to stop dogs fouling on the beach |
| Problems | There are about 18 different land users in Poole Harbour and 4,000 boats use the area during peak periods |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Zoning of areas ensures that different activities are kept apart, eg at Poole Harbour. Speed limits have been put in place |
| Problems | Tourist facilities such as car parks, camp/caravan sites and marinas spoil the look of the coast |
|---|---|
| Solutions | World Heritage Site Status allows local authorities to protect the coast from over-development with strict planning controls |
| Problems | Swimmers and sunbathers may be disturbed by the noise of motor boats |
|---|---|
| Solutions | An Aquatic Management Plan encourages quiet areas (zones) |
| Problems | Anglers, eg at Chesil Beach may be disrupted by activities such as water skiing |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Public education schemes, eg guide books, leaflets and signs are designed to promote responsible tourism |
| Problems | As many as 20,000 visitors can visit Studland beach on a hot day in the summer |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Local authorities comply with the EU Blue Flag Scheme on beach quality |
| Problems | Visitors' dogs can dirty the beaches and footpaths |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Poop scoop schemes have been set up to stop dogs fouling on the beach |