Coastal grassland
Location
The Coastal Grassland type is found in one location in Dorset, between Burton Bradstock and Abbotsbury along the Bexington coastline.
Key Characteristics
- exposed, largely treeless and windswept landscape with open,
dramatic views along the coast.
- sloping and gently undulating rough coastal limestone grassland
and scrub.
- enclosed and defined by the chalk escarpment to the north.
- patchwork of regular fields and low and stunted hedges.
- unsettled with the occasional farmstead and some remaining strip fields.
- steeper slopes closer to the escarpment with grazed pastures and scrub.
- lower slopes nearer the beach contain reeds and grazing marsh.
Coastal grasslands, as a habitat, are found along much of the
immediate coastline but it only becomes a landscape type where the
characteristic coarse grasses, exposed by the full force of the coast,
are backed by the southern escarpment and divide it from the inland
landscapes. Due to the lack of trees, smooth landform and since the
escarpment prevents views inland; a very strong link with the coast is
created enabling panoramic views along the curve of Chesil Beach to
Portland and beyond. It is a characterised by south facing undulating
chalk and limestone slopes of homogenous rough grasslands, patches of
scrub with stunted hedgerows and the occasional windswept tree. It is
an area of rough grazing with a gradual transition from scrubby longer
grassland and some reedbed near the beach, to shorter grass on the
steeper slopes inland. Small grazed regular strip fields often have
wire fencing as boundaries due the lack of hedgerows. A lack of
development, the sweeping panoramic coastal views and exposed
character underpin the natural appearance of this narrow and confined
type. West Bexington is the only settlement in the area with its
distinctive linear pattern and exposed beach car park. There are
occasional farmsteads scattered across the undeveloped area.
Management Objectives
The overall management objective for the Coastal Grassland Landscape
Type should be to conserve the open and undeveloped coastal character
whilst enhance the characteristic features of rough coastal grasslands,
patches of scrub and reeds. Reduce the impact of visitor based development.
Key land management guidance notes
- encourage low impact grazing along the coast and inland ridges to
reduce scrub encroachment on important grasslands.
- conserve the pattern of stunted hedgerows, maintaining a balance
between post and wire fencing in more open areas.
- protect and enhance the management of reed beds for nature conservation.
- woodland planting is not an objective for the area, but the
development of scrub may be acceptable as it forms an important
coastal feature, and can be managed as a successional habitat.
- protect watercourses and associated wildlife from soil erosion and
the effects of diffuse pollution in the Fleet.
- protect the surviving pattern of strip fields.
- identify, protect and conserve the sweeping views of the coast and
in particular of the Fleet, Chesil Beach and Portland e.g. via
Parish Action Plans, Village Design Statements and other Settlement Appraisals.
- reduce the impact of car parks and other visitor based development
e.g. through sensitive signage and improved management of built
features such as walls.
- conserve and enhance the open character of coastal roads e.g. by
the careful consideration of new development design, positioning and height.
- identify, conserve and enhance characteristic fingerposts and
street/road furniture.
Landscape Character Assessment Map
View a map of all the Landscape Character Areas in Dorset, or view a list