This project is part of the Dynamic Dunescapes initiative. To improve this coastal area for wildlife, 25no. wet scrapes were created in the dunes in Studland Bay.

JPR were successful in winning this tender for a Dynamic Dunescapes DuneLIFE project at Studland.  This section of the Dorset coast is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a National Nature Reserve (NNR).

The Project:

Studland’s sand dunes had become over-vegetated and declined in biodiversity over the past 100 years. These works were part of the National Trust’s Dynamic Dunescapes Project and were aimed at creating open scrapes within the sand dunes, returning a portion of the area back to sand and improving habitat for various species.

Studland is a SSSI and NNR and so works had to be carried out sensitively with the minimum of plant and equipment movement. We produced a construction phase health and safety plan which ensured the safety of staff and managed the risk to the environment.

The works involved removing around 1.4 ha of vegetation and tussock roots (Molinia, Bog Myrtle), willow and birch scrub to expose bare mud and open water. Mud banks were reprofiled to create a gradated shoreline down to the water level and below.

The project area is a popular site with the public, particularly dog walkers, and the adjacent road can be busy with traffic for the Sandbanks Ferry. Our works needed to take this into account along with the ordnance on the site (left over from WWII training operations).

The project was undertaken during the winter when the site was less busy and had to consider several limiting factors (see above).