Borough of PooleSeafront Beaches Master Plana framework for the next 25 years

Supplementary Planning Document Consultant Draft 2012

1

I like the idea of a sky cafe

projecting beyond the cliff ,

improved transport links, more

seating along the promenade

and decent toilets

Public Consultation, Spring 2012

“

”

3

Contents

Foreword

1.0 Summary

2.0 Introduction

2.1 Role of the SPD

2.2 The Seafront Beaches Strategy

2.3 Process

2.4 A 25 year master plan

3.0 The Seafront Beaches Today

History

Sense of Place

Environmental sensitivities / Coastal

Defences

Land Usage / Ownership

Uses and users of the beaches and sea

Tourism & Events

Planning

4.0 The factors that shape the Master Plan

4.1 Infrastructure

4.2 Landscape

4.3 Accessibility

4.4 Demand for Facilities

4.5 Site characteristics

9.0 Conclusion

10.0 Reference Material

11.0 Acronyms

The Master Plan

5.0 ‘Beach Life’ - Guiding Principles for the

Master Plan

5.1 Quality

5.2 Natural Environment

5.3 Sustainable Connections

6.0 Strategies - Beachwide Programmes

7.0 Projects - A Framework for Change

Master plan aspirations

7.1 Sandbanks Beach

7.2 Shore Road

7.3 Flaghead Beach

7.4 Canford Cliff s Beach

7.5 Branksome Beach

7.6 Branksome Dene Beach

8.0 Delivering the Master Plan

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1.0

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2.0

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1.0 Summary

In order to conserve, improve and invest in Poole’s fi ve kilometres of premier natural

beaches, the Seafront Beaches Master Plan

(SBMP) builds upon the Seafront Beaches

Strategy adopted in July 2011.

It sets out the Council’s vision for the Seafront,

“To evolve into all-year-round destinations,

with distinct identities and responsive to beach

users’ needs. Development is of a high quality,

innovative design to complement the sensitive

environment. Close to nature they provide the

right balance of facilities, activities and events

delivered by a combination of public and

private sector interests.”

The aim of the Seafront Beaches Master Plan is

to help deliver the vision for the Beaches and

their hinterland, and secure their long term

future by :

• Conserving the beautiful natural

environment

• Improving the range of facilities to

encourage visitors all year round, and

• Invest in the ageing infrastructure, such

as drainage and toilets, to ensure the

preservation of core services.

The 3 guiding principles in preparing this

Master Plan are:

• Quality

• Natural Environment

• Sustainable Connections

With focus upon 5 main factors over the next

25 years of delivery,

• Infrastructure

• Landscape

• Accessibility

• Demand for facilicities

• Site characteristics

The Seafront Beaches are considered in 6

sections:

1. Sandbanks

2. Shore Road

3. Flaghead Chine

4. Canford Cliff s

5. Branksome Chine

6. Branksome Dene Chine

each describing their unique characteristics and

opportunities.

1.0 Summary

Above: Poole’s seafront beaches are part of a rich mix of natural assets, which includes Poole Harbour and the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast.

92.0 Introduction

2.0 Introduction

Poole’s beaches are breath-taking, precious,

fragile and much-loved. Those who visit them,

whether for the day, year-round or on holiday

see them as free (to visit), and (preserved) for

them - and always will do. Like the sea itself,

most regard the beaches as a communal

resource where rules should be limited and

freedom is celebrated.

Conserving this principle is key to preserving

the popular appeal and special aff ection for

Poole’s beaches. By the same token, creating

new opportunities in and around the beaches

is vital to providing a positive and sustainable

future for them, and to broadening still further

their appeal.

Doing nothing is not an option.

Those who visit Poole’s beaches do so partly

because they want basic facilities at hand –

toilets, a café, lifeguards, a shop. There has been

little investment in the basic infrastructure since

the 1950s yet it supports the simple pleasures

of being within such a spectacular setting. The

future must be about on-going maintenance

not simply preservation.

Developing and expanding core facilities is

essential to making the most of the beach

visiting experience, and preventing our

“tourism off er” falling behind. Whilst growing

capacity and raising quality is fundamental so is

the need to hold onto essential characteristics

of the beaches, such as informality and

independence. Any branding should be subtle

and locally relevant for instance.

The area known as the ‘beaches’ is defi ned

as land from the sea to the fi rst inland road,

so includes the sea, sand, promenade, cliff s,

chines, open space and car parks. The beaches

are partly characterised by the nature of the

approaches to them and landscape of which

they form a part. Sandbanks and Shore Road

represent the low dunes at the mouth of the

harbour. From Shore Road to Bournemouth

(and beyond) a rambling cliff is irregularly

broken by deep chines that extend back

towards the town. The connectivity of each

approach delivers a particular mix of beach

visitors at each location.

The chines and dunes could do more to

express the varying character of the beaches.

Making more of each approach would help

clarify the gently diff erent characters and

activities available along the beaches. The

space and accessibility of Sandbanks makes

it suitable as a location for activities, events,

accommodation and watersports. Shore Road

and Branksome Chine are popular beaches

where people congregate. Canford Cliff s,

Flaghead and Branksome Dene have a quieter

character, largely because of their relative

inaccessibility.

Getting to the beach can be diffi cult for

everyone. Parking can be very busy and it is a

long way to walk or cycle from the town centre.

The elderly and teenagers often have to rely

on the bus, which off ers a variable service that

can become embroiled in traffi c queues. Most

people who go to the beach do so armed with

the paraphernalia necessary for a long day out.

Creating a sustainable travel plan for the

beaches should be part of the long-term vision.

Better bus links, access by boat or amphibious

vehicle, clearer car park signposting, more

disabled parking, designated drop-off zones,

secure cycle storage, and many other options

should be explored for their potential.

Poole is not a seaside town like Bournemouth.

It is a working town close to the sweeping

beaches of Poole Bay. There are relatively few

hotels and limited visitor accommodation,

and this is unlikely to change signifi cantly. The

beaches are largely visited by local residents

and daytrippers. There should be opportunity

for Poole’s beaches to become all year round

destinations.

Whilst signifi cantly increased scale or volume

is not possible, sites close to the beaches

could add local pools of bespoke visitor

accommodation. These could help bring life

and activity to distinct areas as well as add

directly to the fi nancial well-being of the

project.

The SBMP aims to balance these and other

issues to provide:

• a fl exible framework for the future

• a strategic town planning context

• an overall structure for understanding and

developing the beaches

• a series of implementable projects over the

short to long term, at all scales and catering

to diff erent markets.

Above: This view highlights the clear water and gently shelving beaches, narrow isthmus connecting Sandbanks and wooded residential areas of Canford Cliff s and Branksome.

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2.1 Role of the SPD

This Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

contains the Seafront Beaches Master Plan

(SBMP) which the Borough of Poole wishes

to promote over the coming years. It covers

the beach environment from Sandbanks to

Branksome Dene Chine and is principally

focused on publicly-owned land.

It contains a wide range of proposed

improvements to the beaches some of which

will be of interest to commercial developers.

The plan is designed to be implemented

over the long term, perhaps 25 years, so as

to account for the availability of fi nances and

resources, to deal with a depressed current

market, and to allow for infrastructure to be

improved at the pace required.

The SPD identifi es the package of projects

which would represent the complete

realisation of the master plan. The ambition

and expectation is that all these projects will

be implemented. Should it not be possible

(for whatever reason) to deliver everything, it

will be important that all valuable projects are

combined with one or more infrastructure or

public realm schemes to ensure the master

plan is delivered in a balanced manner.

The SPD falls outside the Local Plan for Poole

but is informed by the policies within it. These

include the Poole Core Strategy 2009, and

the Site Specifi c Allocations & Development

Management Policies 2011. Further relevant

guidance and policy (like the Seafront Beaches

Strategy), is contained in Section 10.0 titled

Reference Material.

There has been extensive public engagement

to date, from a commercial market testing

day, through to Poole Opinion Panel surveys

and leafl eting and face to face events in

the Spring of 2012. It is now that formal

public consultation is to take place building

upon the views expressed through previous

engagement.

2.2 The Seafront Beaches Strategy

In the Spring of 2011 a Seafront Beaches

Strategy was adopted by the Council. This

stated that:

In the current fi nancial economic climate we,

as an organisation, are being challenged to

deliver improved services with less funding. To

do this it is imperative to review how effi ciently

we run the service to improve the quality of life

for residents, whilst conforming to the broad

principles and spatial approach of Poole’s Core

Strategy.

The aims of the Beaches Strategy are to:

1. Improve the services and facilities we

provide for residents and visitors

2. Manage the beaches more effi ciently

3. Optimise income and investment where

appropriate

4. Make best use of existing assets with all

development maintaining, or enhancing,

the natural environment in accordance

with Poole’s Spatial Vision.

The SBMP is one of the tools employed to

deliver the above Strategy.

2.0 Introduction

Above: The master planning process followed to date.

June 2011

Engagement Outline Business Case Implementation

July 2011 September 2011 June 2013

Briefi ng Initial Ideas

and Strategies

Research and

Analysis

Design

Development

Project

Appraisals

Architectural Approach

Implementation

Options

Strategy and

Phasing

Masterplan

Consultation

Masterplan

Adoption

Phase 1

Stakeholder

engagement

Members sign-off

Stage 1 Stage 2

Members sign-off

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2.3 Implementation Plan

The Implementation Plan will follow the adop-

tion of the SPD. It will set out how delivery can

lead from the development principles set out

in the SBMP.

Delivering the SBMP could take up to 25 years.

This is due to infrastructure longevity, the

complexity of some of the projects, and the

uncertainties of the commercial market and

legal or contractual matters. The table on page

12 shows the process in its timeline.

2.4 The Future - A 25 year master plan

The SBMP has resulted from a thorough review

of the activities, pressures, sensitivities and

opportunities currently present in and about

the seafront beaches. Extensive engagement

with the general public, local stakeholders,

current commercial operators and various

Council departments has helped signifi cantly in

producing a deliverable yet ambitious master

plan.

The SBMP has been produced by Borough of

Poole offi cers with assistance from a consultant

team led by architects and urban designers LHC

and including PH Warr, Goadsby, Buro Happold

and the International Centre for Tourism

and Hospitality Research at Bournemouth

University.

Recent research into the future of tourism

reveals a number of relevant trends. For

instance:

• The ‘always on’ culture will mean people will

want to stay connected at all times, using

contemporary communications technology

• There will be a ‘humanisation of technology’,

which means individual needs can be

identifi ed and responded to, and integration

of information systems means real time

information can be delivered based on need

and location

• Consumers will search for health and

wellbeing, to fi nd sense and escape complex

and hectic lives

• Experiences will be valued more than

possessions, for enjoyment and to defi ne the

individual.

• Individuals will lead modal lives, occupying

many diff erent roles, resulting in changing

demands

(Amadeus Research).

In 2009 Mintel predicted that the short-break

market is expected to grow, with the emphasis

on experiences, gentler activities, de-stressing

and self-improvement. Special occasion breaks

are also likely to increase.

Ten ‘hot’ market segments identifi ed for 2020 by

the World Tourism Organisation (2001) are:

1. Sun and Beach Tourism (prospects only

moderate for Europe)

2. Sports Tourism

3. Adventure Tourism

4. Nature-Based Tourism

5. Cultural Tourism

6. Urban Tourism

7. Rural Tourism

8. Cruises

9. Theme Parks

10. Meetings and Conference Tourism

25 years is a long time to maintain momentum

and it will be necessary to refresh the master

plan and reinvigorate those charged with the

task at regular intervals. Breaking the task down

into manageable phases is clearly key, as is

focussing energy in delivering each of them -

starting with the fi rst.

A separate Implementation Report will be

produced. As many aspects of this report are

commercially sensitive the full report will be

treated as confi dential.

2.0 Introduction

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3.0

Th

e S

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eac

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s To

day

Above: Vintage leafl ets and brochures promoting the pleasures and delights enjoyed by generations in Poole (© Borough of Poole)

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History

The life and activities of the seafront beaches

have built up over time. The incremental and

ad hoc growth of beach huts and extended

promenades has meant there has been

little holistical or co-ordinated planning.

For instance, the piecemeal development

of Sandbanks has meant that the car park

presents an unwelcoming “back door” entrance

to the beach.

Early Twentieth Century photographs show the

dunes at Sandbanks inhabited by a few isolated

beach huts whilst the cliff s and chines were

overlooked by the grounds of grand estates

such as Branksome Towers. Public facilities were

limited or non-existent, and the beaches had

no promenade so were less accessible and less

busy.

In the 1920s and 30s civic pride and popular

demand led to the introduction of public

facilities such as public conveniences,

communal shelters and public beach huts,

for eg, Sandbanks grand pavilion and the

Branksome Chine bathing station.

In the 1950s major infrastructure was updated,

or introduced, like works to pumping stations

and the promenade (off ering some sea defence

also).

Sense of Place

The seafront beaches of Poole are a major asset

to the town and its residents are rightly proud

of them. They off er a high quality, communal

venue that anyone can use and all can enjoy.

People come to the seafront beaches for many

reasons including to swim, play, walk, run, cycle

and barbeque. They come en masse in the

summer, in school holidays and when the sun

shines, but also in a steady stream throughout

the rest of the year. The beach assets are free

to use, yet require ongoing, and occasionally

considerable, investment.

It is the various elements of utilities

infrastructure and public facilities on the land

adjoining the sand that are more obviously

in need of investment. These tired, and often

failing, assets are relied upon by those who visit

the beach but are generally of poor quality,

or inadequate, and refl ect a serial lack of

investment over numerous years. Incongruous

against the superb natural and semi-natural

assets of the beach these facilities fail to

meet basic minimum requirements in many

locations. Part of current demand however is

for the type and quality of facilities that many

people will have experienced elsewhere in the

UK or abroad. Few of the private or commercial

facilities currently provided along the seafront

meet this expectation.

The sense of place on the seafront beaches is

therefore inevitably a hybrid - often refl ecting

fond childhood memories, visits made on warm

summer days or for a winter walk, occasional

participation in an organised public event or

informal use of the water for sport. To some

degree the beaches can be considered a single

place, unifi ed by the views, the weather and

the sand. A diff erent perspective suggests there

are in fact several parts, generally conforming

to the locations referred to in the master plan

and based on the access points along Banks

Road or the chines. In this version the sense of

place can vary signifi cantly, from the enclosed

and ‘private’ quiet of Branksome Dene Chine,

through the consistent bustle around Shore

Road, to the open aspect and connection with

the harbour at Sandbanks.

3.0 The Seafront Beaches Today

Above: Sandbanks in the 1950’s 3.0 The Seafront Beaches Today

Above: Just some of the components that combine to create the sense of place at the beaches.

Unrealised potential at Canford Cliff s.

Broad panoramas from elevated viewpoints.

Quality architecture and a natural setting.

Views around the bay contained by the cliff s.

A place for play and relaxation.

Buckets, spades and ice creams.

Beach huts in need of updating.

Regenerated dunes supporting biodiversity.

Sanctuary in the cool gardens above the beach.

Wide golden sands stretching to Sandbanks.

Space of your own.

A stock of heritage assets worth keeping.

19

Environmental sensitivities and Coastal

Defences

The Seafront Beaches of Poole form part of

a signifi cant coastal eco-system, and face

challenges from tides, wave action and

longshore drift, or cliff erosion. The entire

length of the beaches requires defensive

measures from the sea given the strategic

importance, especially between Sandbanks

and Shore Road where the harbour and town

centre could be threatened if this spit of land

were breached. Various studies have been

produced in recent years to identify the ways

in which the coastline will be protected (see

appendices). One implication is likely to be a

need to raise the ground fl oor level of some

buildings at Sandbanks and Shore Road, or

consider fl ood compatible uses at ground fl oor

level, to account for potential fl ooding and

climate change.

Small areas of the cliff s (east of Canford Cliff s

and east of Branksome Dene Chine) are

designated as internationally important as

Sites of Special Scientifi c Interest (SSSI). Other

areas (notably parts of Sandbanks and

cliff s between Flaghead and Canford Cliff s)

are designated Sites of Nature Conservation

Interest (SNCI). Such areas of local ecological

importance will be protected so that

biodiversity is maintained, as set out in Policy

DM9 of the Poole Site Specifi c Allocations and

Development Management Policies DPD 2011.

Land Usage / Ownership

The sand of the beaches, from the promenade

to mean high water level, are in Council

ownership, as are the promenades, most of

the chines and in some places areas in land.

Sandbanks is a signifi cant Borough of Poole

landholding and includes land between

the promenade and Banks Road, and the

boundaries of the private apartments to the

east and west. Sandbanks is dominated by a

large public car park accessed from Banks Road.

Lined along the promenade, and generally

with their backs to the car park, are beach huts,

the beach offi ce and stores, public toilets, and

a beach café and kiosk. The remaining land

includes children’s play areas, mini-golf, rockery

and remaining sand dunes.

At Shore Road the beach huts and toilets are

on Council-owned land. The Council also owns

the car park and the public open space at the

junction with Banks Road. At Flaghead Chine

part of the cliff s behind the beach huts and

toilets are publicly-owned whilst at Canford

Cliff s the land ownership includes everything

between the sand and Cliff Drive/Esplanade

at the top of the cliff s. Canford Cliff s includes

beach huts and toilets at promenade level with

playspace provided in the park close to the

village centre.

A large area of land is Council-owned at

Branksome Chine although much of it is

woodland within Cliff Gardens. This area

includes Beach Road and Western Road car

parks as well as land and buildings at the

mouth of the chine used as a shop, café/

restaurant and toilets. Land at Branksome Dene

Chine includes much of the chine but little in

the way of road frontage. Uses here include a

community building for hire as well as beach

huts and toilets.

3.0 The Seafront Beaches Today

Above: Some of the users of the seafront beaches.

Cyclists

Children

Beach footballers

Diners

Sunbathers

Beach Polo fans

Watersports enthusiasts

Walkers

Schools

Runners

Partygoers

Youngsters, families, the elderly and others

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Uses and users of the beaches and sea

Those who use the beach include:

• Families;

• Young people, often in groups;

• The elderly, sometimes with mobility issues;

• Schools, clubs and others in groups;

• Watersports enthusiasts, often solo but

gathered in specifi c locations;

• Swimmers, paddlers and beach explorers;

• Local residents;

• Daytrippers;

• Holidaymakers;

• Cyclists, skateboarders and rollerskaters;

• Dog walkers, amblers, joggers and runners.

The beaches are used year round but

experience huge variations in visitor numbers,

depending on the weather conditions, school

holidays, day of the week, time of day and

presence of special events. Providing facilities,

and especially commercial enterprises, in the

context of this variability is one of the most

signifi cant challenges for the master plan.

Tourism

The beaches are an important tourism draw.

They can receive over 200,000 visitors on the

busiest summer day.

The Tourism Strategy 2006-2015 sees

Sandbanks beach, along with the Harbour

and the Quay, as the 3 primary tourism assets

of the town. Making more of the beaches for

tourism is desirable, and could be done in the a

variety of ways, including diverisfi cation, better

communication, marketing, raising quality

and improving access. the many events on

the beach are one such way of enhancing the

tourism asset for tourists and local residents.

Planning

The beaches are a tourism asset, but they

also include areas that are environmentally

and historically sensitive. They provide an

important resident leisure destination, useful

in promoting health and well-being but also

helpful in promoting inward investment for the

town.

The beaches do not, however, possess great

strategic planning importance, given the

limited scope to create signifi cant numbers

of jobs or homes there, and their relative

inaccessibility from the rest of the town. The

town planning context is set out in Poole’s

Local Plan, comprising its Core Strategy

2006-2026 and other Development Plan

Documents like the Site Specifi c Allocations

and Development Management Policies.

Other supporting documents include the

Characteristion Study 2010 and Conservation

Area designations. A list of planning documents

appears in Section 10 under reference material.

The master plan has a twenty fi ve year life,

ending in 2037. Therefore it will help to inform

the evolution and review of current policies,

as and when that occurs. Projects in the fi nal

phase could have a diff erent planning context

to that used to assess earlier phases.

3.0 The Seafront Beaches Today

23

4.0

Th

e f

acto

rs t

hat

sh

ape

th

e M

aste

r P

lan

Above: Infrastructure investment in the 1970’s Above: Dramatic Landscape

25

4.0 The factors that shape the Master Plan to deliver our aims

The master plan, infl uenced by a huge variety

of factors, is created at a particular moment

in time. Of the most important issues facing

the master plan in 2011-12 the fi ve below

are considered to have both broad relevance

across the plan area, and are likely to continue

to have lasting relevance.

4.1 Infrastructure

Infrastructure here refers to either the hidden

utilities network of pipes and cables that feed

or dispose of water, sewerage and power to

the beaches, or to the above ground public

facilities which are relied upon by visitors,

such as the promenades and walkways, toilets,

car parks, and even benches or shelters. Not

referred to are the fundamentals of fl ood

defence or sand retention/replenishment.

Maintaining the existing infrastructure of the

beaches is a key driver for the master plan

as a whole. When public sector funding is

under increasing pressure the budgets for

even essential works are squeezed. Upgrading

infrastructure to modern standards or to meet

customer expectations is both desirable and

problematic.

The infl uence on the master plan of the

demands of current and future infrastructure

is limited in spatial terms but fundamental

in all other respects. The master plan both

creates the projects that can help fund

infrastructure works and identifi es the types

and geographical spread of that infrastructure

itself.

4.2 Landscape

The landscape of Poole’s seafront is both

infl uential and inspirational representing

both an opportunity and a constraint. Most

descriptions of the beaches are of a landscape

as a setting for enjoyable pastimes. Many

delight in the beaches in part because they are

‘natural’, they are there and were not created,

they were found rather than produced, and

therefore have a soul and an integrity that sets

them apart from manmade treasures.

The beaches in the widest sense encompass

the tide line, the sand, the promenades, the

chines, the approaches, and all public and

private land and buildings. At Sandbanks they

include the harbour fringe, at least in respect of

the harbour wall and access to the water. Here

the proximity of the harbour and the beach

create a heightened sense of the physical

world where landscape overwhelms the built

environment, whilst at the same time providing

a dramatic setting for it. The landscape of

Sandbanks is defi ned by the water and the low

slung dunes that divide it, by the sandy isthmus

that connects ‘the mainland’ to the peninsula.

Shore Road marks the beginning of the cliff s

and chines heading east to Hengistbury Head

and the end of the sandspit of Sandbanks.

Whilst the beach and its sand continue the

smooth curve of Poole Bay the land behind

shows a signifi cant change in elevation and

vegetation. Quickly rising towards Canford

Cliff s, and broken only by the occasional public

or private chine, from this point eastwards the

landscape is essentially L-shaped, comprising

the fl attish beach and the near-vertical cliff face.

The Borough of Poole Characterisation Study

(2010) reinforces the concept of two distinct

elements to the seafront landscape: the open

dunescape of Sandbanks, and the lush green

chines and steep sandy slopes of Canford

Cliff s. Each area includes trees, typically the

non-native but locally-distinctive Scots Pine,

but in vastly diff erent numbers. At Sandbanks

occasional trees are exposed to long views

thereby magnifying their sculptural qualities

and individual value. On the cliff s and in the

chines trees defi ne the place, drawing the

skyline or enclosing the ravine.

4.0 The factors that shape the Master Plan

Above: Accessible by car but less so by other means (© Borough of Poole) Above: Demand for facilities varies wildly (© Borough of Poole)

27

4.3 Accessibility

Poole’s seafront beaches are over 3.5 miles

(almost 6km) from the town centre, and even

further from many suburban residential areas of

the borough. Most of the land adjacent to the

beaches is residential and generally low density.

In addition, none of the prime transport

corridors of the conurbation pass near to the

beaches.

As a result the beaches can be considered

a somewhat distant destination from the

perspective of the town as a whole. This

separateness is part of their appeal but means

they suff er from inaccessibility for some, and

tend to miss out on spontaneous visits from

everyone.

The overwhelming majority of visitors to the

beaches arrive by car. In the summer months

particularly, they will arrive with paraphernalia

like food, clothing, towels and chairs. Car travel

is more sustainable the more passengers are

transported, so vehicles carrying families are

generally supported as eco-friendly travel.

The major issue presented by car trips to

the beach is pressure on certain car parks

and consequential tailbacks and congestion

aff ecting general traffi c.

So whilst the SBMP wishes to promote

alternative modes of transport to the car it

accepts that car travel will still be a popular

mode of travel, and that no net decrease in car

parking overall is envisaged.

For those without access to a car the options

for travel are limited to buses (from either Poole

or Bournemouth town centres), or cycling.

In both cases the scope for carrying beach

equipment is clearly more limited. In the case of

buses it is possible to get within a few hundred

yards of all the beaches but the timetable

is understandably skewed to the summer

months, at which time buses can become full.

In contrast cyclists are restricted from cycling

on the promenade in the daytime in July and

August.

4.4 Demand for Facilities

Reasonable expectations of an occasional

visitor to the beaches would be that there

will be readily available car parking, good

walking routes and access ramps, clean and

accessible toilets and frequent opportunities

to buy a drink or snack. At present this service

is performed poorly, particulalry prounounced

in the summer months, where most toilets are

outdated, inadequate or inaccessible, where

snacks are hard to fi nd, and where the overall

quality of facilities needs to be improved.

In the light of this, meeting increasing

expectations in the future is clearly an

ambitious target. This would however include

more places to shower and change, personal

storage space and more places to eat and drink,

better signage especially on approach roads

regarding car park availability, higher quality

public realm including more lighting, better

access and more seating.

4.0 The factors that shape the Master Plan

4.5 Site characteristics

The seafront beaches are considered in six

sections, based on existing locations and their

unique and distinctive approach routes.

Sandbanks

Sandbanks is a master plan site with an

international profi le, as well as visual

prominence, like no other. The site comprises

a 540 space car park, surfaced in tarmac, set

within rolling sand dunes which are separated

from the seafront beach by a concrete and

tarmac promenade. The beach itself is divided

in to three roughly equal sections by groynes

constructed using local Portland and Purbeck

stone. The site extends to Banks Road to the

north-west, beyond which the harbour wall

and the shallows of Whitley Lake are animated

year-round by wind and kite surfers.

The car park is partly accommodated by a

shallow bowl formed in the centre of the

site whilst the north-eastern end of the site

is screened from the road by a rockery now

topped by mature pine trees. In a few locations

across the site it is possible to see both the

harbour and the sea. The lowest part of the site

is threatened by fl ooding whilst fragments of

the site are of local ecological value (SNCI).

Most of the surrounding area is given over to

residential use but a small cluster of commercial

units on Banks Road serve as the local centre

for Sandbanks.

Shore Road

Shore Road extends from the foot of Evening

Hill to the beach overlooked by the Sandbanks

Hotel. The master plan site is, however,

restricted to the stub south of the junction

with Banks Road and is principally focussed on

the pedestrian approach to the beach and the

small cluster of commercial outlets and public

facilities there. The beach hinterland here is

more built up than in any other location and

this, coupled with its relative accessibility and

legibility, lends this part of the beach a relatively

trendy and urban feel. Shore Road is important

as the start of the 7.5 mile promenade around

Poole Bay and it is this continuous connection

which binds it together with the sites to the

east and separates it from Sandbanks to the

west.

29

Flaghead Chine

Flaghead Chine is a discrete and quiet route

linking Haven Road to the beach east of Shore

Road. This narrow and heavily treed pedestrian

lane squeezes between private plots and is

easily missed at either end. As a master plan site

this location is the least signifi cant due to its

limited size and lack of street presence.

Canford Cliff s

Canford Cliff s master plan site comprises

extensive green areas of parkland or cliff s

although the site is also tight up against

residential streets and close to the shops and

services of the village centre. Despite this

proximity the promenade and beach are largely

concealed by the network of local roads and

few if any signals of the nearby beach are

evident on the main road. Add to this context

the lack of a signifi cant or specifi c beach car

park, the large number of resident-only beach

huts and Canford Cliff s remains a quiet haven

for locals ‘in the know’. From the top of the cliff

public spaces off er panoramic views between

The Purbecks in the west and Hengistbury

Head and the Isle of Wight in the east.

Branksome Chine

Branksome Chine master plan site is similar to

Canford Cliff s in including signifi cant green

and public open spaces, from which views

are possible, as well as a large (370 space) but

underused car park at Beach Road and two

other smaller car parks, one at the top of the

cliff s and the other at promenade level. All three

car parks are accessible direct from Pinecliff

Road, which forms part of the link between

all of the beaches and the strategic highway

network of the conurbation. With framed views

of the seafront and promenade from Pinecliff

Road Branksome Chine is a showcase location

for the beaches, especially given its closeness to

Bournemouth and beyond.

Branksome Dene Chine

Branksome Dene Chine site comprises the

mouth of a green ravine bounded by the

gardens of private plots. The steep sides to

the chine create an appealing intimacy whilst

mature woodland extends throughout the

space, held back only to allow for car parking

and the popular Community Room. The most

discrete, or hidden, of all the larger sites, access

is principally by a narrow drive found on a quiet

residential street.

4.0 The factors that shape the Master Plan

31

5.0

Th

e M

aste

rpla

n -

Be

ach

Life

& G

uid

ing

Pri

nci

ple

s

Quality Natural Environment Sustainable Connections

Above: (© Inc / Shutterstock.com)

33

‘Beach Life’ - Guiding Principles for the

Master Plan

• Quality

• Natural Environment

• Sustainable Connections

Quality

In order to respect the exquisite nature of

the landscape setting, and to ensure the best

chance of success over the long term, it is

important that all elements of the master plan

set a new benchmark for quality. In this way

future public works and commercial enterprises

will refl ect the existing precedent provided by

many of the private properties in the area. The

high quality of new additions or replacement

structures will refl ect a greater confi dence and

pride in the beaches as one of Poole’s most

popular destinations, and primary assets. It will

also be important in terms of gaining planning

consents and encouraging best bids from

commercial operators. This approach must also

extend beyond the built environment to the

rest of the visitor off er, including food and drink,

customer service, and the reliability of public

facilities and public transport.

Natural Environment

With views to Old Harry and the Isle of Wight,

the open arc of soft sand and the cool clean

waters of Poole Bay, the south-facing seafront

beaches are blessed with the essential

components for happy beach life. Whilst there

are a number of statutory landscape and

ecological designations for diff erent parts of

the beach, just as relevant are the aff ections

of the thousands of people who visit the sand

and wish for it to remain unspoilt. From both

perspectives it is crucial that the master plan

conserves the natural environment so that

it will continue to be available for the future.

At the strategic scale this means ensuring

coastal defences are maintained and sand

is replenished when required. At a more

local level it means identifying key vistas

and retaining landmark trees or important

tree groups, it means preserving ecological

habitats and other natural areas, and it means

introducing new development that respects

and accentuates the primacy of the landscape

setting.

Sustainable connections

Most visitors to the beaches arrive by car for

a series of reasons: they are in a group; they

have cool bags, chairs, windbreaks and surf

boards; they don’t live close enough to walk;

and the bus service is infrequent. Although

generally considered less sustainable than most

other modes car travel improves considerably

if the car is full of passengers. The remaining

issue is accommodating the volume of cars

on the roads and in the car parks. However it

is those without access to a car and unable

to cycle who are most disadvantaged. This

is a substantial number of Poole residents

and improving the options available to them

will help spread the benefi ts of beach life as

well as increase the commercial catchment

population. Reducing emissions, removing

barriers to access, promoting healthy cycling

and walking, and freeing up space for greenery

or new facilities are all worthwhile aims.

5.0 The Masterplan

5.0 The Masterplan

35

6.0

Str

ate

gie

s -

Be

ach

wid

e P

rog

ram

me

s

Above: Landscape Management Strategy Inset Above: Shoreline Management Plan

Dune Character

Chine Character

Cliff Stabilisation

Borough Boundary

Conservation Area

Access to Nature Reserve

SSSI

Protect from Flooding

37

The Master Plan strategies cover the broad

range of activities and functions relevant to the

seafront beaches. Full implementation of the

Master Plan would involve the comprehensive

delivery of all the strategies. It would however

be fair to describe the Shoreline strategy and

Infrastructure as fundamental to the future

existence of the beaches, and therefore the top

priorities. Funding would be through the SBMP

and through any grant aid available at the time.

Shoreline Management Plan

This strategy already exists but is nevertheless

central to the future of the beaches. The SMP

2011 defi nes the strategy for the beaches of

Poole and Christchurch Bays. The approach

for Poole’s seafront beaches is to Hold The

Line for the next 0-50 years by maintaining

the sea walls and replenishingthe beach. For

the area between Shore Road and Branksome

Dene Chine coastal defence helps conserve

the existing cliff s and infrastructure. For the

area south west to Sandbanks the additional

strategic benefi t of preserving this sandbar is

the preservation of the harbour itself as well as

large parts of the urban community.

Landscape Management Strategy

The landscape management strategy builds

upon existing and ongoing management plans

being undertaken by the Borough of Poole

including the shoreline management plan. The

overarching objective is to help preserve and

enhance the existing character, habitats and

ecosystems whilst maintaining and evolving a

busy tourist destination.

This master plan is fundamentally underpinned

by the landscape management strategy,

conserving and evolving the existing qualities

of each character area. The master plan

embraces the quality and aesthetic of the

natural landscape, and improves on ecological

value, biodiversity and general public realm

along the seafront.

The landscape management strategy forms

an integral part of the master plan providing

the framework for the design approach.

The key objective is the enhancement and

conservation of the chines, sand dunes and

beach ecosystems, working with the shoreline

management plans to develop high quality and

habitat-rich environments. The chines form part

of this and it is anticipated that they would be

part of a Woodland Management Plan.

The landscape management strategy responds to:

• Character areas and land use along the

shoreline.

• Key gateways and access to the beach

• The existing movement and sustainable

travel networks

The approach of the landscape management

strategy is to:

• Maintain and develop the existing character

of the chines, beaches and sand dunes

creating distinct destinations / visual

connections along the sea front.

• Mitigate against any proposed development.

• Restore, enhance and manage habitats and

nature areas as these develop the individual

character of the beaches.

• Create a more positive relationship

between the built-form and the shoreline

environment.

• Create better connections and linkages

between the existing ecological areas, chines,

dunes and beaches.

6.0 Strategies - Beachwide Programmes

6.0 Strategies - Beachwide Programmes

Above: Access Strategy Inset Above: Bus network map

Bus Access from Poole Bus Station

Bus Access from Bournemouth Square / Station

Sandbanks / Studland Ferry

Water Bus from Poole Quay

Cycle Routes

Walking Route Improvements

Beach Mobility

Sandbanks Road

Shore Road

Canford

Cliff

s Road

Haven Road

The Ave

nue

Wessex Way

BM

Cycle Hire

Cycle Lockers

Main Car Parks

Other Car Parking

Variable Message Sign

Car Park Queue Detector and Ferry

Borough Boundary

CH

VMS

CL

Branksome

Westbourne

CanfordCliffs

ParkstonePark

Gates

Lilliput

Sandbanks

West Cliff

Branksome Chine

Poole Bournemouth

BANKS RD

SAN

D

POOLE RD

CO

MPT

ON

AV

E

16m1m2 50

52

5250

50

school summerholidays only

39

Access Strategy

Most people visiting the beaches do so by

car and on a warm day in the school summer

holiday long queues will form, especially at

Sandbanks.

The Access Strategy aims to:

• Minimise the numbers of cars arriving at the

beaches by promoting public transport and

cycling;

• Spread the car parking load (and reduce

congestion) by directing traffi c using

advance warning signage;

• Seek to, at least, maintain the present volume

of car parking spaces close to the beaches;

and,

• Explore innovative solutions such as a Water

Bus and/or Land Train.

The nearest rail stations (Branksome, 2.3km.

Parkstone, 3.2km) have a limited role but

could provide access to those travelling with

a bike and direct, well-signed cycle routes

should be installed. Neither is served by a bus

to the beach but this is possible via Poole or

Bournemouth rail stations.

Buses play a substantial public transport role

for the beaches and the two main existing

services (50 and 52) cover all the beaches with

reasonable walking routes to bus stops. The

best service (50) is from Bournemouth town

centre (rather than Poole), reaching close to

all the beaches before crossing on the ferry to

Studland. Bus 52, from Poole, serves only the

western beaches and therefore, as part of this

strategy, it would be desirable to see better bus

linkages to the eastern beaches (Branksome

and Branksome Dene Chine).

A key diffi culty for public transport provision

is the huge variability in demand, depending

principally on weather conditions followed

by school holidays. In these circumstances

park-and-ride should not be advocated unless

and until specifi c sponsorship can be found.

However, eff orts should be made to identify a

local, regional or even national lifestyle brand

who might want the kudos and positive

association with delivering people to the

beach.

Cycling to the beaches off ers a pleasant and

healthy way to visit. Cycling on the promenade

is restricted in July and August but is a

designated national cycle route and popular at

other times. To help support more cycle trips to

the beaches it is necessary to:

• Improve the routes to the beach, taking the

least traffi cked routes or providing clearly

designated or off -carriageway solutions.

• Increase cycle parking at key nodes.

• Introduce luggage lockers at key nodes.

• Introduce cycle hire providers (focussed

particularly on promoting cycling September

to June).

• Consider a ‘Tour’ of Poole for September

which includes the promenade and

promotes cycling outside the summer

months.

Walking to the beaches is popular, with those

living close by fi nding it most attractive.

Whether walking from home or walking from a

bus or car the fi nal approach routes clearly play

an important role. The opportunity to create

new routes is limited in general, as private

properties occupy most of the beach or cliff

frontage not already in use. Improved access on

foot is therefore principally related to improving

signage and surfacing, easier gradients, and

more options in locations like Sandbanks and

Branksome Chine.

The Access Strategy should aim to deliver:

• A more even spread of car parking across the

seafront beaches area.

• Improved awareness of car park locations,

and walk/ramp routes from them.

• Advanced Direction signage to enable

drivers to fi nd available car park space.

• Designated passenger drop-off areas.

• Safer car parks, with better provision for

motorcaravans.

• Car park pricing contours, which relate

closeness to the beaches with highest cost,

and vice-versa.

• More on-street car parking and fewer parking

restrictions.

• Firm but friendly parking enforcement.

6.0 Strategies - Beachwide Programmes

Above: Infrastructure Strategy

WiFi

Broadband

Borough Boundary

Water Supply

Power

CCTV

41

Infrastructure

Replacing outdated or dysfunctional

infrastructure is vital to the long-term health

and well-being of the seafront beaches. The

Master Plan will help fund new services and

utilities, and new public facilities, where these

are not integral to specifi c projects (see below).

Most of these works amount to detailed civil

engineering projects and are likely to be

designed and procured using current protocols.

These works do not include the major sea

defence or sand replenishment programmes

earmarked for future years.

Public Realm Strategy

Public realm improvements are required in a

cohesive manner but also should accentuate

the peculiarities and special appeal of each

location. The public realm should be broad

enough to ensure variety and avoid an

overly-corporate or formal environment.

Materials and design must be suitable to salty

seafront locations and long term maintenance

and whole life costs will be important

considerations.

Public realm in the context of the seafront

beaches includes:

• Pedestrian routes and spaces, including the

promenade.

• Signage.

• Lighting.

• Seating.

• Playspaces.

• Refuse/recycling bins and salt stores.

• Hand and guard railings, and boundary

enclosures.

• Safety equipment.

• Public Art.

The overall Public Realm Vision is for a set

of functional elements that combines with

the outstanding landscape setting to create

a feel-good environment year round. The

strategy requires a long term perspective that is

suffi ciently fl exible to allow for opportunities to

be taken or components to be replaced, whilst

being fi xed in respect of the overall design

philosophy, and materials and colour palettes.

6.0 Strategies - Beachwide Programmes

Above: Tourism, Branding, Marketing and Events

Pleasure Boats

Key Signing Locations

Focus for Beach and Water Sports

Borough BoundaryBlue Flag Beaches

Wind and Kite Surfi ng

Link to Purbecks

Sandbanks Beach Shore Beach Flaghead Beach Canford Cliff s Beach Branksome Beach Branksome Dene Beach

43

Tourism, Branding, Marketing & Events

The Tourism Strategy for the Borough as a

whole sees Sandbanks as one of three key

assets (with Poole Quay and the Harbour).

This should be widened to encompass all

of the beaches as a package of destinations,

emphasising the variety of spaces and activities

to be enjoyed, and spreading the load more

evenly.

Promoting The Seafront Beaches of Poole

would include addressing them as a whole,

with something for everyone. It could include

modest rebranding of each location to

emphasise their common appeal and collective

strength:

• Sandbanks Beach - A Dune Landscape

• Shore Road - The Social Beach

• Flaghead Beach - Hut Life

• Canford Cliff s Beach - The Village Beach

• Branksome Beach - A Window on the Beaches

• Branksome Dene Beach - Dorset-on-Sea

This strategy includes a cohesive and carefully

targeted approach to wayfi nding and signage

to and from the beaches. Starting at the main

approaches by road, footpath, cyclepath and

public transport, a set of high quality signs

would provide essential information (distance

to closest beach, distance to key facilities)

in an attractive and distinctive style. At each

of the locations above a co-ordinated set of

information panels would be provided to

enable a comfortable, safe and pleasant visit.

Marketing could include sponsored Beach

Maps. These could either deal with the year

round off er at all the seafront beaches, or could

be designed to cover the Summer and Winter

seasons, or could even encourage specifi c

activities at certain locations at particular times

of the year (e.g., kitesurfi ng at Branksome Dene

Chine).

Finally the beaches have a reputation for

holding especially memorable events and

it would be desirable to manage when and

where these occur, who they are aimed at,

as well as extending the benefi ts of shared

logistics and promotions. At fi rst it is necessary

to identify what is the potential commercial

market (for instance for music, sports, arts or

food), who are those who could be attracted

to participate who currently do not (such

as the elderly, teenagers or holidaymakers

to Bournemouth), and what benefi ts could

be achieved to the wider community via

subsidised events (in terms of health, social

inclusion, volunteering). The aim would be to

produce a programme of activities across all

the beaches and the whole year that makes the

most of the public space and dramatic setting.

This might cover, at various scales: music (BSO,

pop, dance, busking), food (Dorset’s fi nest,

fresh fi sh, pop-up cafes), arts (Dorset Art Weeks,

summer galleries, performance), sports (beach

and water-based, spectating and participating).

One aim would be to promote the seafront

beaches as a neutral, and uplifting, arena in

which the communities of the town can mix

with each other as well as with visitors from

further afi eld.

6.0 Strategies - Beachwide Programmes

Above: Accommodation Strategy

Hotels (No. of beds) (Existing and Proposed)

Beach Studios (Proposed)

Beach Huts (Existing and Proposed)

Borough Boundary

60

45

Beaches Accommodation Strategy

Existing overnight visitor accommodation

at or near to the seafront beaches includes

hotels, holiday homes and guest houses. The

aim is to increase the number of available

bedspaces year round. More people staying

close to the beaches will help animate the

beaches, especially in the evenings, will support

more food and drink outlets, and will make

them feel safer. It is important that additional

accommodation at the beaches caters for new

markets, currently unprovided for, or for existing

buoyant markets untapped latent demand.

Accommodation as part of Master Plan Projects

should also add income which can help

support other elements.

Two main types of additional overnight visitor

accommodation are proposed: Beach Studios,

and new Hotels.

Beach Studios are self-contained, self-catering

units for short-term breaks and can be located

in small groups. Each unit could sleep four

people and would include their own living

space, kitchenette and shower/toilet. Each unit

would require power and heating and could

be used year round. They would generally be

located close to car parking and overlooking

public spaces. This would make them easy to

use and would allow them to feel safe, as well

as providing a level of natural survelliance. Ideal

sites would enable long or glimpsed views of

the sea.

Accommodation included within the Master

Plan respond to specifi c opportunities and

aim to off er something not currently available

along the seafront beaches of Poole. The two

hotels included are described in the Project

section below. In both cases, the Dune Hotel at

Sandbanks and the Chine Hotel at Branksome

Dene Chine require a bespoke design response

and a hotel typology outside the mainstream.

They would be unique and have a privileged

relationship with the beaches enabling them

to be competitive, and therefore commercially

attractive. In each case ‘public’ rooms or services

(like bars, restaurants, function rooms or spas)

should facilitate general public access.

Education, Arts, Community & Healthy Lifestyle

There is an opportunity to make more use of

the seafront beaches in the cultural life, and

health and well being of residents, of the town.

The beaches off er a uniquely calm and tranquil

setting out of season for refl ective projects, or

noisy school or community groups. The open

space of the sand, the local nature reserves or

the dunes can, and are, used both formally and

informally for educational, arts or community

uses. East Dorset Open Water swim club

currently uses premises at Shore Road and the

Community Room at Branksome Dene Chine

is used by community groups. Future similar

facilities can be sued inthe same way. Other

opportunities should be explored where those

who are young, elderly or in social care settings,

can visit and enjoy the beaches, perhaps for

the fi rst time or after many years away. It may

be possible to include some community use

within multi-functional space in commercial or

public buildings within the Master Plan. There is

also scope for more private/public enterprises

such as the shared use of space in 2012 at

Sandbanks for Beach Polo/Focus On The Beach.

Possibilities exist to engage local schools,

businesses or institutions to lead activities or

themes at the beach, for instance, school beach

games or nature walks with Canford Cliff s

Library.

6.0 Strategies - Beachwide Programmes

Above: Education, Arts and Community Strategy

Gallery at the Beach

Art Events at the Beach

Borough Boundary

School Visits

Education Centre

Canford Cliff s Library at the Beach

Mobile Library at the Beach

47

Library on the Beach Schools on the BeachLearning on the Beach Art on the Beach

Above: (© B747 / Shutterstock.com) Above: (© anna dorobek / Shutterstock.com) Above: (© Natalia Davydova /

Shutterstock.com)

Bottom left: (© Pablo77 / Shutterstock.com)

49

7.0

Pro

ject

s -

A F

ram

ew

ork

for

Ch

ang

e

51

The Master Plan Projects are a specifi c set of

ideas, initiatives and developments arranged

across the beach environment. Each is

designed to respond to the factors and

strategies set out above but particularly to

respond to the specifi c opportunities identifi ed

at each location.

The Master Plan is illustrated in its complete

state but will clearly take many years and

several phases to reach this condition. It will

be important that within each phase, at each

location, every package of projects includes

a proportion of diff erent development

types, including commercial development,

infrastructure updating and public realm

improvements. There may be several ways of

achieving this but the overall principle must be

adhered to across the master plan.

For each location a series of images are

provided. These include the following:

• Master Plan Principles plan – this

diagrammatic plan aims to convey the

structuring elements for future change at

each locality. The plan indicates the main

pedestrian and vehicular routes, the location

of car parking and focal public realm, as

well as an indication of the likely scale and

location of new (and existing) buildings.

• Illustrative Master Plan Layout – designed to

give an impression of how the master plan

principles could be implemented, indicating

the importance of hard and soft landscape,

a potential arrangement of buildings serving

diff erent functions, and relationships with

existing surrounding private properties.

• Illustrative Perspective – a visualisation

showing how the location might look in 10

or 20 years time. A guide mostly in terms

of the scale and character of an area, rather

than in detailed architectural resolution.

7.0 Projects - A Framework for Change

7.0 Projects - A Framework for Change

Sandbanks Beach

Poole Harbour

Brownsea Island

Shore Beach

N

53

Poole Bay

Flaghead Beach Canford Cliff s Beach Branksome Beach Branksome Dene Beach

Illustrative Masterplan

557.0 Projects - A Framework for Change

Generic Visitor FacilitiesAt each location it is the aim of the

master plan to either maintain or provide

a common set of components useful to

visitors to the beaches. The aspiration is for

all of these to be built according to current

industry standards and to represent design

best practice. As with all new buildings

or environmental improvements, all new

works should accord with the public realm

strategy.

• A range of transport options – the

ability to access each location by

either wheelchair, walking, cycling, bus

or private vehicle (whilst accepting

the practical topographical or spatial

limitations in some cases).

• Cycle stands – stands in prominent

positions.

• High quality public realm and signage

– to help contribute to a pleasant,

functional and memorable beach

environment.

• Beach access for all – through the

addition or improvement of ramps,

handrails, lighting, level thresholds and

other measures.

• Seating – at regular intervals along the

promenade and the approaches.

• Lighting (in varied formats) – to help

extend activity further in to evenings and

winter afternoons, to support commercial

operators, and to make the beaches even

safer, whilst at the same time respecting

the value of darker areas and the contrast

with central Bournemouth seafront.

• Public safety signage - well-designed

and prominent without hindering the

beach setting or key views.

• An active security regime – well-

resourced and experienced public

agencies ensuring safety and security that

responds to known patterns of behaviour

as well as spontaneous incidents.

• Waste & Recycling bins – designed and

integrated inot the public realm.

Beach Management operation

A range of public facilities including Beach

and Information Offi ce, accessible for all,

like:

• Toilets

• Showers – on the promenade, and

alongside changing space and lockers, in

proportion to the anticipated demand at

each location.

• Changing space – some large enough for

families.

• Storage lockers – a variety of sizes,

possibly allowing for watersports

equipment, and tenures, including day

and season timescales.

• A variety of food & drink options – to

include a minimum of hot and cold

snacks with year round catering at

Sandbanks Beach, Shore Road Beach and

Branksome Beach.

• Early years playspace and all-ages outdoor

gym – a network of informal playspaces

and equipment that will appeal to all

ages.

• Core infrastructure (eg.water, drainage,

electricity) fi t for purpose – as part of the

beachwide investment in infrastructure.

57

7.1

San

db

anks

Be

ach

A D

un

e La

nd

scap

e

The opportunity exists at Sandbanks Beach to

create the international destination that the

location demands. Change here must however

respect its historic origins and landscape

character as a part-natural/part-managed sand

bar leading to the Sandbanks peninsula. The

balance between buildings and open space

must be carefully controlled, and any changes

should contribute to the evolution of a fl exible

spatial structure for the long term.

The structure should subtly organise the range

of activities and operators into a series of cells,

between which routes can be created linking

the sea and the harbour. The spine at the centre

of these cells and routes will be the axial route

that bisects the historic crescent pavilion.

Biodiversity interests must be protected

(SNCIs) and compensatory habitats provided

and justifi cied as part of any proposal where

open space is reduced as a consequence of

development (in accordance with Policy DM9

of SSADMP DPD).

A network of pedestrian paths will be needed

across the area, but servicing and car parking

should not be allowed to penetrate the site

further than necessary. In broad terms, the

density and intensity of buildings and activities

will rise across the site from the north-east

to south-west reaching a climax opposite

the existing shops and restaurants. Here an

extended commercial off er (eg, bars, leisure

shops, objects d’Art) can act as ‘the centre of

Sandbanks Village’, as well as picking up on

passing trade, with a retained Scots Pine as the

focus of an intimate and informal public space.

Close to this hub, but overlooking the beach,

a Dune Hotel nestled within the landscape

would off er a distinctly Sandbanks version of

a restaurant-with-rooms. Adjoining the hotel,

and potentially operated as part of it or with

access to its facilities, are two or three private

houses or large suites. These are replicated

on the north-eastern boundary and serve the

same function of softening the architectural

treatment of these fl anks, as well as providing

natural surveillance.

The architectural centrepiece of Sandbanks

Beach is the crescent pavilion which would

be developed with a glassy second storey

that would act as a modern extension of its

stripped and cool, civic classicism. The pavilion

would act as the focus for beach visitor facilities,

including a welcoming beach reception and

information, toilets, changing, etc. Within this

building a variety of beach huts, kiosks and

cafes would be provided. Amongst these

would be a select group of purpose-designed

7.1 Sandbanks Beach

A Dune Landscape

Boutique dune hotel

Sand dune

beach huts

Food and

drink pavilion

Beach retail /

food and drink / beach huts

Boat links

to harbourNew residential

Above: This view from the sea shows how groups of buildings could be set within a new dune landscape at Sandbanks Beach.

59

‘Beach Studios’ providing self-contained

accommodation, potentially for weekend and

overnight stays.

The look and feel of Sandbanks Beach will

be one generously dusted with sand in all

directions. Existing trees and dunes would

mix with new planting and reprovided dunes.

Within this soft landscape ecological habitats

would be encouraged as would public access.

Most areas would be accessible to all with

children encouraged to explore in safety. The

promenade would be retained but partly

modifi ed with timber boardwalks to create

a softer transition with the sand and beach.

Any loss of open space should be justifi ed and

replaced where appropriate.

New car parking areas would be disguised by

the framework of structural planting, whilst

additional car parking on Banks Road would

adopt an echelon format with frequent

landscape breaks.

Large-scale events at Sandbanks Beach will

continue, and use new open spaces and

car parks as currently. They would however

benefi t from signifi cantly improved technical

support, as well as more and better visitor

accommodation and facilities in a higher

quality setting.

7.0 Projects - A Framework for Change

Overnight

accommodation

Sand dune

beach huts

Sand dune

beach huts New residential Existing buildings

Sandbanks Beach Success Criteria:

Landscape, public realm and development

proposals must:

• contribute to the maintenance of Blue

Flag status.

• contribute to the creation of a coherent

landscape and public realm structure.

• contribute to the retention or creation of

ecological habitats.

• enable the provision of around 450 off

street parking spaces in total.

• Increase all year round activity, and

increase alternative and fl exible use of

car parking including additional on-street

parking in Banks Road.

• enable the provision of around 170 beach

huts or beach studios in total.

• include buildings no taller than 4 storeys

opposite 2-16 Banks Road and no taller

than 2 or 3 storeys elsewhere on the site.

Development Principles:

Landscape structure based around dunes

Two principal public spaces

Clear visitor focus around pavilion

Commercial / retail focus with passing

trade

Buildings to be 2/3 storey max; coherent

mini-complex of public /private facilities

Overnight beach studios

Better pedestrian routes from Beach to

Harbour

Lightweight pedestrian link to Shore

Road

Bus priority measures

Variable availability of car parks

Additional car parking in Banks Road

Pavilion converted for beach reception,

visitor facilities and accommodation

Commercial (eg. sports / clothing retail,

cafe/restaurant) with apartments above

(max 4 storeys)

Boutique hotel with seafront cafe/

restaurant

Beach studios, beach huts and cafe on

the sand

Beach houses (for lease)

1

C

BA

2

3

4

5

5

2

1

X

Y

Y

X

A

3

4

5

Once complete the master plan for

Sandbanks will reinstate a sand dune

landscape within which buildings, car

parking and outdoor activities are found.

A loose framework of dunes and open

spaces will provide the setting for public,

private and commercial buildings. Stands

of Scots Pine and a rolling dunescape will

subdivide the whole in to a series of cells,

creating a diverse set of spaces connected

by distinctive routes running between the

harbour and the promenade.

Above: Diagram highlighting the key development principles

61Middle left: (© mtr / Shutterstock.com)Bottom left: (© ariadna de raadt / Shutterstock.com)

Middle centre: (© holbox / Shutterstock.com)Bottom centre: (© Nikita G. Sidorov / Shutterstock.com)

Middle right: (© pics721 / Shutterstock.com)Bottom right: (© peresanz / Shutterstock.com)

Above: Image caption

2

2

6

3

1

4

613

11

12

11

7

7

7

8

88

9

9

10 10

9

5

63Above: Image caption

1. Commercial, food and drink, apartments

with private car parking and plazza

2. Beach houses

3. Sand dune hotel and dune

wedding venue

4. Water taxi business

5. Harbour arts cafe

6. Beach cafe / bar

7. Beach huts

8. Beach studio

9. Public car parking

10. Banks road parking on street

11. Beach facilities and beach offi ce

12. Swimming and viewing jetty

13. All ages play space

N

Illustrative Masterplan

Sandbanks Beach

65

7.2

Sh

ore

Ro

ad

The

Soci

al b

each

Development Principles:

Better entrance signage / space

Shared ped / vehicle approach

Multi-function public realm with

extended promenade

Buildings to be 2/3 storey max; coherent

mini-complex of public /private

facilities; designed to include landmark

element

Overnight beach studios

Lightweight pedestrian link to west over

dunes

Chines-meet-the-dunes landscape

character

On street car parking

Commercial retail/cafe/restaurant/bar

unit(s)

New day and overnight beach huts

Private apartments (for lease)

Harbour side coff ee / ice cream kiosk

1 2

3

4

1

2

3

4

The main structuring elements of routes

and destinations are largely in place at

Shore Beach. The principal challenges are

in replacing tired beachfront buildings

with a mini-complex around new public

space, and in leading the visitor to it via an

appropriate gateway landscape and shared

surface highway.

Above: Diagram highlighting the key development principles

67

The bustle and busyness of Shore Beach is a

product of its accessibility, its youthful crowd

and some of the uses that have clustered

here over recent years. The narrow funnel of

Shore Road contains views and activity in a

public realm which can be transformed to

become an elegant processional route to

the delights of the bay. At the mouth of this

road, and incorporating the existing public

gardens, a reorientation of the highway and

pedestrian routes should combine with a new

landscape scheme to create a fi tting gateway

to the beach. A shared surface street would

compensate for lack of width and would refl ect

the balance between pedestrians and vehicles

year round. Any opportunities for on street car

parking should be exclusively for the use of

Blue Badge holders whilst the majority of the

existing car park should be retained.

The frontage to the main car park, in common

with its neighbours, could be developed for

private apartments, providing useful revenue as

well as more natural surveillance.

On approaching the promenade a landmark

building and public space will be revealed,

marking the gateway to the promenade

and the transition between the chines and

the dunes along the beach. This most urban

location, overlooked by public and private

buildings, requires clearly defi ned public spaces

and should be addressed with suitably bold

contemporary architecture. A beach shop

would sit amongst two or three café bars and

kiosks serving sunworshippers, kitesurfers,

walkers, cyclists and others year round. The

landmark building would be the tallest and

might include a top fl oor café or restaurant to

make most of the superb views. A building of

four storeys could achieve 270 views, over the

top of the adjoining Sandbanks Hotel.

Moving north-east towards Branksome the

sloping land behind the promenade should be

redeveloped to combine a green dune frontage

and new beach huts and beach studios. High

quality accommodation of this type would be

attractive, especially to a younger customer

base interested in active sports. Any layout of

this area must better signal the footpaths back

towards Chaddesley Glen whilst incorporating

accessible gradients.

New development here should help maintain

the open aspect to the rear of properties in

Chaddesley Wood Road, but some additional

height will be acceptable where this enables

a better commercial operation and improves

placemaking, so long as each existing property

retains more than one oblique view to the sea.

7.2 Shore Road

The Social beach

7.0 Projects - A Framework for Change

Shore Road Success Criteria:

Landscape, public realm and

development proposals must increase

off peak use, and :

• contribute to the maintenance of Blue

Flag status.

• contribute to the creation of a

coherent landscape and public realm

structure.

• enable the provision of around 56

on and off street parking spaces (97

currently existing).

• enable increased on street parking in

Banks Road / Shore Road.

• enable the provision of replacement

beach huts plus around 80 additional

huts or beach studios..

• include buildings no taller than 3

storeys, including opposite Sandacres,

unless a 4 or 5 storey building at the

junction of the promenade and the

approach road incorporated a top

fl oor café or public function room.

15

23

16

17

1819

2022

21

14

Illustrative Masterplan

Shore Beach

697.0 Projects - A Framework for Change

N

14. Ice cream kiosk and coff ee hut

15. New apartments

16. Bike hire hut

17. Cafe / restaurant / bar, beach facilities

and visitor centre

18. Ice cream and sandwich shop

19. Cafe and shop units

20. Beach Facilities

21. Beach huts

22. Beach Studios

23. Re-confi gured car parking for apartments

Beach huts and studiosExisting buildings

Cafe / restaurant / bar, beach

facilities and visitor centre

Above: Shore Road has the most urban context and is the bustling westerly start of the promenade. As such it should be marked in a suitably bold and signifi cant way.

71Top left: (© Joe Ferrer / Shutterstock.com)Middle left: (© Xiaojiao Wang / Shutterstock.com)Bottom left: (© Ron Zmiri / Shutterstock.com)

Top centre: (© fotoadrenalina / Shutterstock.com)Middle centre: (© Filipe B. Varela / Shutterstock.com)Bottom centre: (© Berni / Shutterstock.com)

Top right: (© littleny / Shutterstock.com)Middle right: (© BL / Shutterstock.com)

73

7.3

Fla

gh

ead

Be

ach

Hu

t Li

fe

Development Principles:

Better entrance signage / wayfi nding

(inc. at beach)

Focal public space inc. public and retail

facilities

Infi ll beach huts and new kiosk

Small-scale improvements / additions

Minor improvements at Flaghead Beach would

include more beach huts and a new playspace

overlooked by a new ice cream kiosk.

Above: Diagram highlighting the key development principles

75

Notable mainly for the slender lane that hides

in the chine, Flaghead Beach stands halfway

between Shore Beach and Canford Cliff s yet

can be seen from neither. This privacy, or lack

of exposure, lends it a quiet calm and some

independence. any modifi cation here means

making modest alterations so as not to disrupt

this happy equilibrium.

By marking each end of the chine path with

a proportionate public realm scheme more

people will walk this useful route. At the foot

of the chine this traffi c will be attracted to

a relocated ice cream and snack kiosk, and

might want to spend time on the creative play

equipment which this overlooks.

Flaghead Beach is however principally

about spending time in and around ones

beach hut: Hut Life. This will continue and

any opportunities should be taken to make

a modest increase in the number of units

available here.

7.3 Flaghead Beach

Hut Life

7.0 Projects - A Framework for Change

Flaghead Beach Success Criteria:

Landscape, public realm and

development proposals must:

• contribute to the maintenance of

Blue Flag status.

• contribute to the creation of a

coherent landscape and public

realm structure.

• enable the provision of around 180

beach huts (including 24 new build).

• include buildings no taller than 2

storeys.

• Include woodland management and

biodiversity protection of SNCI.

Above: Halfway between Shore Road and Canford Cliff s Beach, Flaghead Beach is hidden from both lending it a quiet calm and degree of independence.

77

N

24. Ice cream kiosk and beach huts above

25. Beach huts

26. All ages play space

25 24

26

Illustrative Masterplan

Flaghead Beach

79

7.4

Can

ford

Cliff

s B

eac

h

The

Vill

age

Bea

ch

Development Principles:

Better entrance signage / wayfi nding

(inc. from shops)

More on street car parking

Focal public space

Walk route improvements

Reveal chine landscape especially at

promenade

All buildings to be 2 storey max

2nd level of promenade beach huts

with frequent gaps

Overnight beach studios (on the prom

or amongst trees)

Toilets / facilities at promenade level

Ecological / landscape management

plan

Lighting to promenade and chine

No net loss of public open space land

Extension / alteration of lifeguard

station to create cafe / kiosk building

Private house (for lease)

12

1

2

Clearer routes to the promenade, from

additional on street car parking, would

increase access to this beach and help

support better facilities and commercial

outlets. Adding a second fl oor above some

beach huts would increase the overall stock

whilst providing gap views through to the

cliff s behind.

Above: Diagram highlighting the key development principles

81

The route to the promenade beneath the

dense tree canopy of the chine conceals views

of the beach until the fi nal approach, which is

made between timber beach huts dating from

the Thirties. These huts, even more charming

as viewed from the promenade, epitomise the

small scale and intimacy of this beach, popular

with local families especially. Retaining and

further evolving this character (recognised in

its Conservation Area status) is essential to any

future change here.

Conserving and revealing the landscape

structure of the chine is also essential,

reinforcing the distinctive qualities of the

place and making it easier to read as a visitor.

By removing the concrete huts adjoining the

footpath of the north side of the chine the

sand and scrub planting of the cliff s can mark

its entrance and act as an appropriately soft

landmark.

Canford Cliff s Beach has numerous beach

huts, most in single storey blocks. Increasing

the number of beach huts by adding an extra

storey to some blocks, or part of a block, would

add usefully to the overall stock whilst creating

a more playful roofl ine and still conserving

views through to the green cliff s behind.

The quiet, family-focussed ambience here

makes it an ideal location for a few beach

studios where families, couples and small

groups could enjoy this special appeal. These

studios could be secluded amongst the trees

or overlook breaking waves fronting the

promenade.

The focus of Canford Cliff s Beach should remain

the former beach shelter, once converted and

extended, at the centre of a modest complex

of buildings designed to accommodate a café/

restaurant, kiosk and toilets. A small public

space here could include a proportionate

timber deck, extending over the sand to allow

for alfresco dining with a view, and mark the

chine on this otherwise straight stretch of

promenade.

This long stretch of beach has limited existing

car parking. Better signage to the beach from

Ravine Road would help as would additional

spaces on Cliff Drive and the Esplanade.

There is a potential small plot of land for the

development of a private dwelling adjoining

24 Cliff Drive. Exceptional architectural quality

would be required to ensure any building

added positively to the skyline.

7.4 Canford Cliff s Beach

The Village Beach

7.0 Projects - A Framework for Change

Canford Cliff s Beach Success Criteria:

Landscape, public realm and

development proposals must:

• contribute to the maintenance of Blue

Flag status.

• contribute to the creation of a

coherent landscape and public

realm structure including woodland

management.

• enable the provision of around 90 on

street parking spaces (70 existing) in

Esplanade and Cliff Drive.

• enable the provision of around 119

new build beach huts (194 existing).

• enable the introduction of additional

food and drink outlet/s serving the

beach.

• include buildings no taller than 2

storeys.

• Provide toilets at promenade level

• Improve access to the beach.

32

2829

27

29

31

33

33

35

Illustrative Masterplan

Canford Cliff s Beach

837.0 Projects - A Framework for Change

27. Cafe / restaurant

28. Ice cream / coff ee kiosk

29. Beach changing facilities

30. Beach sports changing facilities

31. Beach huts

32. Beach studios

33. Public car parking

34. Beach marquee’s and beach sports pitches

35. Private house - Cliff top N

3230

33

Above: By restoring and extending the art deco building at the foot of the chine as a centrepiece Canford Cliff s Beach can retain its period charm whilst providing updated facilities.

New beach huts over existing

Complex of buildings including café,

kiosk, toilets and changing space.

85Top left: (© ariadna de raadt / Shutterstock.com)Middle left: (© Karyna Che / Shutterstock.com)Bottom left: (© daseaford / Shutterstock.com)

Top centre: (© FIORENTINI MASSIMO / Shutterstock.com)Middle centre: (© Ye / Shutterstock.com)Bottom centre: (© sunsetman / Shutterstock.com)

Top right: (© 9comeback / Shutterstock.com)

87

7.5

Bra

nks

om

e B

eac

h

A W

ind

ow

on

th

e B

each

es

Development Principles:

Landscape connection from the chine to

the beach

Car parking at promenade retained

within public realm

Multi-function public realm, with

potential for events

Better pedestrian routes from Beach

Road / Western Road

Reordered and better managed Beach

Road car park (inc off season ‘car

parking’)

More on street car parking

Buildings to be 2/3 storey max;

harmonious with central cafe/restaurant;

to include public sundecks; to respect

and reinforce alignment of chine

Water sports facilitated with better

promenade access, support facilities,

storage space

Overnight beach studios

Potential redevelopment or regeneration

of shop/ toilets building for cafe/shops/

toilets/changing/fi rst aid/ management/

storage

Potential new water sports building with

shop/teaching space/stores/changing

Cliff edge ‘sky cafe’ adjoining Western

Road car park

1

2

3

1

2

3

Branksome Beach is the most accessible

location along the seafront. By making it

easier to use car parks at Western Road

and Beach Road, and adding on street

car parking, a more multifunctional

public space is possible adjacent to the

promenade. By adding more active uses

around this space, involving watersports,

retail and food-and-drink, it can act as a

primary gateway to the sand, the sea and

the views.

Above: Diagram highlighting the key development principles

89

The breadth of the chine and sheer accessibility

at Branksome Beach lend this location

an unequalled prominence and strategic

signifi cance. Wider and longer than its siblings

to the south, Branksome Chine opens wide at

its mouth yet is well-defi ned by steep ridges

creating a satisfying framed view between land

and sea. Now contained by the promenade

the primacy of this natural and public link to

the water should be refl ected in any landscape

or public realm proposals here. Biodiversity

interests will be respected in the SNCI

designation along the back of the promenade.

Pinecliff Road will continue to make an

important connection but should glide

discretely through a cohesive public space. This

space should be pedestrian-dominated but will

accommodate most of the existing car parking

albeit aligned so as to allow for easier, safer and

more direct routes to the beach.

Within a Conservation Area and sitting on

the edge of the promenade is the popular

Branksome Beach café/restaurant within the art

deco former beach station (which is a locally

listed building). The quality of the food and

drink off er here should be extended by the

addition of one or two more outlets, as well

as shops and a kiosk. This building should be

refurbished and extended as required whilst

retaining the key features of interest.

On the southern fl ank of this space an awkward

element of the car park could be developed

with a multi-functional building aimed at the

watersports and visitor communities. A small

shop for watersports equipment could benefi t

from passing trade as well as serving the beach

community in general. Storage space for small

craft and changing facilities for users could

combine with training and teaching areas, as

currently exists for the Branksome Chine Surf

Life Saving Club. It is possible that it could be

managed by a commercial operator.

The height of the cliff and spread of vegetation

combine with the almost imperceptible curve

of the cliff s to present a singular opportunity for

panoramic views from a new café/restaurant

projecting from Western Road car park. Subject

to a full technical and fi nancial assessment,

this new Sky Café could become a truly iconic

addition to The Seafront Beaches of Poole.

Whether a destination restaurant or a family

café, an elegant architectural and engineering

solution would be required that accentuates

the landscape setting and refl ects the tension

of the structural feat achieved.

Elsewhere along the beach, redevelopment

and rationalisation can increase the overall

number of beach huts, move toilets to

promenade level and relocate kiosks.

7.5 Branksome Beach

A Window on the Beaches

7.0 Projects - A Framework for Change

Branksome Beach Success Criteria:

Landscape, public realm and development proposals must:

• contribute to the maintenance of Blue Flag status.

• contribute to the creation of a coherent landscape and public

realm structure, plus woodland management.

• contribute to the retention or creation of ecological habitats.

• enable the retention of, and greater use of, around 420 off

street parking spaces at Beach Road and Western Road.

• enable the reduction of car parking to around 70 spaces

adjoining the promenade.

• enable increased on street parking in Pinecliff Road and Beach

Road.

• enable the provision of around 120 new build beach huts

(including 254 existing).

• enable the introduction of additional food and drink and retail

outlets serving the beach and Pinecliff Road.

• enable the creation of a commercial/retail/watersports hub

between Pinecliff Road and the beach.

• include buildings be no taller than 3 storeys.

3939

36

Illustrative Masterplan

Branksome Beach

91

36. Sky cafe

37. Ice cream kiosk / cafe

38. Public toilets

39. Beach huts

40. Public car parking

41. Beach facilities

42. Cafe / restaurant, shop units

and visitor centre

43. Water sports building

N

39

42

40

40

39

3738

40

40

41

43

Above: New and refurbished buildings overlooking the beach and chine may well respond to the opportunities at Branksome Beach for more activities year round as well as in the peak season.

Existing building Public space with car parking

Cafe / restaurant, shop units and

visitor centre within developed and

extended existing building

93Top left: (© VetrovaMaria / Shutterstock.com)Middle left: (© DWaschnig / Shutterstock.com)Bottom left: (© FIORENTINI MASSIMO / Shutterstock.com)

Top centre: (© Dima Fadeev / Shutterstock.com)Middle centre: (© ep_stock / Shutterstock.com)Bottom centre: (© J.A.Astor / Shutterstock.com)

Top centre: (© Worldpics / Shutterstock.com)Middle centre: (© Poprotskiy Alexey / Shutterstock.com)Bottom centre: (© Gunnar Assmy / Shutterstock.com)

Development Principles:

Better entrance signage / space

Focal public space

Vehicle access improved by local

widening

Greatly enhanced pedestrian routes,

seperate from road

Ecological / landscape management

plan

Reveal chine landscape especially at

promenade

Buildings to be 2/3 storey max; multi-

volume (rather than monolithic);

designed to follow contours; recessive

in scale and materials

Water sports facilitated with better

promenade access, support facilities,

storage space

Maximum car parking retained (inc off

season ‘car parking’)

Overnight beach studios

No net loss of public open space land

Ground and rope walks amongst trees

Either Hotel with function space (40

beds max) or Remade Community

Building (plus small-scale

accommodation).

1

Above: Diagram highlighting the key development principles

As elsewhere along the seafront beaches,

revealing, restoring and celebrating

the landscape is the key to change at

Branksome Dene Beach. Whilst modest

improvements can be made to access, both

by car and on foot, this location will always

be most memorable as a deep, green bowl

behind a popular beach a short walk from

Bournemouth.

1

95

7.6

Bra

nks

om

e D

en

e B

eac

h

Wo

od

lan

d-b

y-th

e-S

ea

Above: Change at Branksome Dene Chine should include decluttering the landscape to reveal the chine and create platforms for new buildings and facilities.

New beach toilets / facilities

and kiosk at promenade level

New community and wedding

venue (or site for a small hotel) Tree top adventures

Landscape revealed at

mouth of chine

97

Improving direction signs and the narrow

access road are key to increasing the use of

this popular beach. An enclosed, sylvan bowl

this most easterly chine formally welcomes

visitors to the start of Poole’s beaches. However,

woodland management and SCNI protection

must be at the core of any future proposals.

Dominated by gorgeous green cliff s and fi ne

soft sand, and comprising watersports, cream

teas on the terrace and wholesome families

playing in the sea – welcome to Dorset-on-Sea.

Change here could include a new and larger

Community and leisure venue in an elevated

position with an enlarged terrace and a handful

of rooms for hire. Other parts of this small

focal group of buildings would include new

changing space, toilets and showers. A kiosk

could be located on a deck that projects over

the sand in a similar style to the decks at Shore

Beach and Canford Cliff s.

The large, untamed woodland of the chine

could be accessed via a new rope adventure

activity feature. Whilst winter and wild day

watersports should be supported here with

improved facilities and access. Overnight

accommodation attractive to this community,

as well as others, should be provided in limited

numbers. The majority of existing beach huts

here should be retained.

The intimate scale, sense of enclosure and

discrete approach might make this location

particularly appealing as a venue for managed

music or performance events, perhaps

designed in conjunction with adjoining

residents.

Should an operator of suffi cient calibre be

found then an hotel could be located here

in place of the community/wedding space.

(If it were that function would be relocated

elsewhere along the seafront beaches). The

design of this building would have to be of

the highest quality whilst its mass and height

should be subservient to the landscape setting,

comprising the cliff s, promenade and beach.

7.6 Branksome Dene Beach

Woodland-by-the-Sea

7.0 Projects - A Framework for Change

Branksome Dene Beach Success Criteria:

Landscape, public realm and

development proposals must:

. Increase use all year round.

• contribute to the creation of a

coherent landscape and public realm

structure.

• contribute to the retention or creation

of ecological habitats plus woodland

management.

• enable the retention of around 130 off

street parking spaces.

• enable the provision of around 8

new build and 79 existing beach huts

and 5 new beach studios in total

(including replacement and new).

• enable the introduction of additional

food and drink outlets serving the

beach.

• include buildings be no taller than

2 storeys (or 3 storeys in the case of

hotel of exceptional architectural

quality).

44. Beach Facilities

45. Ice Cream Kiosk

46. Beach Huts

47. Community and events space with

accommodation (or site for a small hotel)

48. Public parking

49. Beach studios

50. Tree top walk way and nature experience

N

45

44

46

46

48

50

50

474949

Illustrative Masterplan

Branksome Dene Beach

99Top left: (© Berni / Shutterstock.com)Middle left: (© Dima Fadeev / Shutterstock.com)Bottom left: (© photobank.ch / Shutterstock.com)

Top centre: (© Nikita G. Sidorov / Shutterstock.com)Middle centre: (© Todd Kuhns / Shutterstock.com)Bottom centre: (© ASchindl / Shutterstock.com)

Top centre: (© Lex-art / Shutterstock.com)Middle centre: (© James Clarke / Shutterstock.com)Bottom centre: (© Harm Kruyshaar / Shutterstock.com)

101

8.0

De

live

rin

g t

he

Mas

ter

Pla

n

9.0

Co

ncl

usi

on

The Council and key stakeholders will continue

to work together in partnership to deliver the

full potential of The Seafront Beaches of Poole.

Important factors to consider include:

• focussing on a clear delivery strategy which

maintains momentum and a strategic

overview.

• planning for short, medium and long term

success, including implementing high value

sites throughout the project.

• recognising the importance of the overall

vision and building a reputation for quality.

• retaining the ability to respond to strong

opportunities whislt remaining true to key

principles and the overall vision.

• ensuring infrastructure investment and

public realm projects, including landscape

management and habitat creation, are

delivered at the same rate as commercial

developments. And,

• producing a fi rst phase which is suffi cently

broad and comprehensive that it can be

used to demonstrate several key features of

the master plan, for instance including a mix

of land uses, new public realm, infrastructure

investment and good quality design

including high grade materials.

Development guidance

Development Briefs

It may be desirable or necessary to produce

a Development Brief for one or more of the

master plan locations. The largest, Sandbanks

Beach, would seem the most obvious

candidate. Such a document would add

further detail to the form and nature of change

anticipated and would be consulted on prior to

adoption. As well as more fully illustrating what

is envisaged a Development Brief would also

be valuable in reducing risk for the landowner

and investor.

Public Realm Design Guide

The performance requirements and physical

appearance of the Public Realm is critical to

the success of the Master Plan but can only

be covered in strategic terms in a document

such as this. It is recommended that a specifi c

companion guide to the Master Plan be

produced and that regard is paid to the SPD

‘Our Streets and Spaces’ .

8.0 Delivering the Master Plan

1038.0 Delivering the Master Plan

The Seafront Beaches Master Plan provides:

• a fl exible framework for the future.

• a strategic town planning context.

• an overall structure for understanding and

developing the beaches.

• a series of implementable projects over the

short to long term, at all scales and catering

to diff erent markets.

It responds to the 3 aims set out earlier:

1. Conserve the beautiful natural

environment.

2. Improve the range of facilities to

encourage vistiors all year round.

3. Invest in the ageing infrastructure such

as drainage and toilets, to ensure the

preservation of core services.

This document represents the input and

creativity of a substantial number of people

including the residents of Poole, their

Councillors, their Council offi cers, local and

regional stakeholders, and the Consultant

team led by LHC. The SPD is a Planning

document designed to explain the Master

Plan for the seafront beaches in broad terms

rather than detail. Further work is required

on various matters including a fi rst phase of

change. The importance of the latter cannot be

underestimated.

Doing Nothing to the seafront beaches is not

an option. Years of underinvestment have

created a substantial backlog of infrastructure

work for which no public money has been,

or is likely to be, allocated. Doing Something

allows the community to take positive steps to

maintain the quality and appeal of the beaches

for future generations. Doing Anything is risky

in terms of the sensitivity of the environment

and potential for objections from within the

community. Whatever detailed proposals do

come forward must therefore be carefully

considered, cleverly designed and clearly

communicated.

Poole’s beaches are breath-taking, precious,

fragile and much-loved - and they must and

can remain so. Updating and adding to the

facilities available along them, and creating

a self-sustaining beach environment, can be

done in this context. As we say above, nothing

should detract from the simple pleasures to be

had in such a spectacular setting.

9.0 Conclusion

105

10

.0 R

efe

ren

ce M

ate

rial

11

.0 I

mag

e C

red

its

10.0 Reference Material

a. Seafront Beaches Strategy (2011)

b. Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Level 1

(2009)

c. Flood Risk MAanagement Strategy (2011)

d. Poole and Christchurch Bays Shoreline

Management Plan Review Sub-cell 5f -

Section 4. Policy Development Zone 3

(2011)

e. Beach Master Plan Planning Assessment

(2011)

f. Beach Road Conservation Area designation

leafl et (1990)

g. Canford Cliff s Conservation Area

designation leafl et (1989)

h. Sandbanks Conservation Area Appraisal

and Management Plan (2009)

i. Shoreline Character Areas SPG (2004)

j. Borough of Poole Characterisation Study

(2010)

k. Poole Core Strategy (2009)

l. Poole Site Specifi c Allocations and

Development Management

Policies Development Plan Document

(2011)

m. Poole Beach Survey 2002

n. Poole Opinion Panel Survey Spring 2009

o. Poole Opinion Panel Survey Spring 2010

p. Poole Tourism Strategy 2006-2015

q. Leisure Strategy for Poole – Consultation

Draft 2011-2015

r. Beach Master Plan Public Engagement

Report?

s. Bournemouth Seafront Strategy 2007-2011

(2006)

107

11.0 Acronyms

BoP Borough of Poole Council

DPD Development Plan Document

LDF Local Development Framework

LHC Lacey Hickie Caley consultants

SBMP Seafront Beaches Master Plan

SMP Shoreline Management Plan

SNCI Site of Nature Conservation Interest

SPD Supplementary Planning

Document

SSADMP Site Specifi c Allocations &

Development Management Policies

DPD

SSSI Site of Special Scientifi c Interest

11.0 Image Credits

The project team is as follows:

LHC - Urban Design, Architecture & Landscape

Layout, design and master planning

Goadsby - Commercial Agents

Commercial strategy, property market advice

PH Warr - Quantity Surveyors

Development appraisal, costs and funding

Buro Happold - Engineering

Environmental Sustainability and Transportation

Bournemouth University - Future Tourism

Future tourism, Visitor attractions, Global trends

Unless otherwise stated, the Ordnance Survey

mapping included within this document is

provided under licence from the Ordnance

Survey. Persons viewing this mapping should

contact Ordnance Survey copyright for advice

where they wish to licence Ordnance Survey

mapping/map data for their own use.

Unless otherwise stated, copyright for

photographic and other illustrative material is

owned by Lacey Hickie Caley Ltd (LHC).

This publication has been produced to

support the Full and Listed Buildings planning

application and should not be used for

any purpose other than that intended. Any

reproduction of this publication or of any

pictures /drawings in whole or in part without

Lacey Hickie Caley Ltd (LHC) express written

permission is prohibited.

All rights reserved Lacey Hickie Caley Ltd (LHC).

© LHC 2012.

in association with

BOROUGH OF POOLE