Beach renourishment at Sandbanks

As part of a Poole Bay Beach Management Scheme project, with funding from the Government through Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and the Environment Agency, based on detailed risk management appraisals.

Beach nourishment, or beach filling, is the practice of adding large quantities of sand or sediment to beaches to combat erosion and increase beach width.

Often referred to as a “soft armoring” technique, it is sometimes viewed as a superior alternative to hard armoring because it avoids some of the major pitfalls associated with hard structures like seawalls. With sea level rise and storms threatening to erode sandy beaches, it is likely that nourishment will become more prevalent as managers seek to protect valuable coastal property.

“In May 2020, BCP Council received confirmation from the Environment Agency that it had been awarded £33 million of government funding for these essential works in Poole Bay. Without it, properties, highways and supporting infrastructure would be lost to coastal erosion. These works can only be witnessed occasionally and are a real spectacle. Covid restrictions allowing, we welcome people to take a stroll on the prom to see it all in action!”
Councillor Mark Anderson, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cleansing and Waste