Dorset and East Devon Coast

Local people were involved intensively in the development and consultation of the current management plan of the property, which places great emphasis on local engagement and management of the property across sectors such as local business, charities, landowners and other organisations (Jurassic Coast Trust, 2020). The mobilisation of the Jurassic Coast Volunteer Network (Jurassic Coast Trust, 2020b) as part of the management system is a testament to the efforts being made to foster local involvement in the management of the site. However, the oil and gas exploration and extraction project which took place off Old Harry Rocks in 2019 created tension between selected local communities and the local authority, where local communities, independent businesses and groups raised their concern and indeed protested against the project on the grounds of the potential impact of the project on the environment and on the setting of the property.
The Jurassic Coast Partnership Plan (developed by the Jurassic Coast Trust Partnership Advisory Committee) brings together landowners, businesses, communities, museums, visitor centres and statutory bodies to agree a common set of objectives and principles. The current plan runs from 2020 to 2025 and continues to deliver a wide range of benefits along the coast. Given the diverse and sometimes conflicting range of interests among these different partners there remains an encouraging level of engagement and a desire from most, to work collaboratively to protect the coast and enable people to sustainably benefit from all the coast has to offer (JCT, 2024). It remains to be seen to what extent this is continued under the transition of management responsibility back to local authorities of Dorset Council in 2025.

Dorset Council retained one staff member from JCT - the Principal Offer for World Heritage - to enable continuation of planning and strategic advice about the World Heritage site. They have also begun a process of stakeholder engagement and consultation to help shape future management priorities. This will lead into the creation of a new management framework for the World Heritage site, which will likely begin at some point in 2026 (IUCN Consultation, 2025).

The property is protected under national nature conservation legislation by 13 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which encompass both geological and biological interests. The setting is protected by two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) (IUCN Category V Protected Landscape/Seascape), a national landscape designation. Further protection is provided by 3 SAC, 2 SPA and 2 Ramsar international site, 2 National Nature Reserves and the adjacent Lyme Bay Marine Protection Area. Legal protection was considered effective at the time of inscription (IUCN, 2001) and this remains the case. The Jurassic Coast Trust is a consultee for planning, however as they are not a statutory consultee and they rely on local planners to ensure they are made aware of issues as they arise. The Trust delivers regular and updated training to Local Authority Planning teams and other teams who represent the interests of SSSI and how this impacts on World Heritage, however outside of this protection, the site has no statutory protection (State Party of the UK, 2024). Although the transfer of oversight back to the local authorities of Dorset and Devon Councils does not change the statutory status of World Heritage in the UK, the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act does include measures to increase the obligation to protect World Heritage sites, although these measures have not been formally adopted (IUCN Consultation, 2025).

Under the NPPF ‘Local planning authorities and county councils (in two-tier areas) are under a duty to cooperate with each other, and with other prescribed bodies, on strategic matters that cross administrative boundaries’. Prescribed bodies include Natural England, Historic England and the Environment Agency. The Jurassic Coast Trust is a consultee for planning, however as they are not a statutory consultee and they rely on local planners to ensure they are made aware of issues as they arise. The Trust delivers regular and updated training to Local Authority Planning teams and other teams who represent the interests of SSSI and how this impacts on World Heritage, however outside of this protection, the site has no statutory protection (State Party of the UK, 2024). With the closure of the Trust and transfer of management to Devon and Dorset Councils, the future governance arrangements cannot be assessed. The Council’s area is actively collaborating and working on establishing a new governance structure (IUCN Consultation, 2025).

The management plan of the property explicitly refers to the integration of the OUV management of the site into the UK planning system at the regional and national level, specifically through the application of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), updated in February 2019, and the supporting National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) toward the conservation of OUV (Jurassic Coast Trust, 2020). The site boundaries are also largely based around existing national level designations, and the property is covered entirely by one or more existing conservation designation such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSI), the former of which covers more than 80% of the property. The East Devon Local Plan (2013 – 2031) includes various strategies and policies throughout that give appropriate regard for the WHS (State Party of UK, 2024). The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 ensures that the MMO (Marine Management Organisation) must take all reasonable steps to secure that marine plans are compatible with development plans in the land-use planning system. In addition, there is also a requirement when preparing a marine plan to have regard to other plans connected with the management or use of the sea or coast adjoining or adjacent to the marine plan area. Close integration within Local Plans is fundamental to the success of site management (State Party of UK, 2024). To ensure the site’s long term protection, Local Plans must be consistent with the NPPF regarding World Heritage and in line with the polices of this Partnership Plan. This process is supported by the NPPF, which states that ‘Local planning authorities and county councils (in two-tier areas) are under a duty to cooperate with each other, and with other prescribed bodies, on strategic matters that cross administrative boundaries’. Prescribed bodies include Natural England, Historic England and the Environment Agency. Helpfully, the evidence base that supports statutory development plans can also support World Heritage Site's plan policies e.g. national and local landscape and seascape character assessments.

The property’s boundaries are considered adequate because they are based on the spatial distribution (and national protective designations) of OUV throughout 13 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (which encompass 66 Geological Conservation Review sites), are consistent with British legislation (e.g. regarding seaward boundary), and were set following a lengthy consultation process. A buffer zone is considered unnecessary, because of the overall effective conservation and management regime around the property. Protection of the setting is mostly fulfilled by the East Devon and Dorset AONBs (Dorset County Council, 2014). However, there is some local concern that oil exploration may be permitted in the setting of the property, as extractives concessions that overlap with the property have been issued. The property could therefore benefit from the creation of a clearly demarcated buffer zone. Should AONB's be awarded statutory planning status, that would assist WH Site's where AONB's are responsible for SSSI Sites which fall within the boundaries.

The World Heritage site overlaps partially with the Ramsar site Chesil Beach and The Fleet. As the component parts of the World Heritage site and the Ramsar site overlap with other national designations the protection is secured according to regional spatial planning instruments and effective nature protection legislation. However, the extent to which site managers cooperate on specific management actions is unclear.

The only relevant Committee decision on the property since inscription was Decision 31 COM 7B.33 (WHC, 2007), which dealt with the emergency response to the MSC Napoli accident. There are no recent Committee decisions or recommendations.

An ambitious project 'Jurassic Coast Geo-Heritage Sustainability Study' was funded through Natural England and DEFRA, although has now ceased with the closure of the Jurassic Coast Trust. However, Natural England, Dorset Council and Devon County Council are supportive of its continuation within the new site management context, and anticipate that the project could resume in early 2026. It is important to note that this project will also integrate with Local Nature Recovery Strategies in Dorset and Devon, forming part of the wider strategic framework for sustainable environmental management in the area.

Building on the importance of responding to planning proposals, the work aims to produce evidence-backed guidance that planners can use to understand risks to the geo-heritage in the future and develop planning strategies that protect the geology of the coast. At a time where the coast faces many challenges, from our changing climate to urban and industrial developments, this is an important project to influence and guide future planning. Strands of this work include mapping the current boundaries of the site and predicting possible changes from sea level rise and erosion, bringing together existing planning frameworks and protections (JCT, 2024).

The management system for the site underwent significant reform following the completion of the prior management plan. Site management co-ordination and facilitation were moved out of the remit of the local authority to become an independent charity – The Jurassic Coast Trust (JCT), which in itself has reformed to focus on partnership working and fund raising. The current management framework for the Jurassic Coast was published in 2020, the Jurassic Coast Partnership Plan which, due to the changes to the management structures for the WHS, places more emphasis on the role of the wider Partnership in contributing to Site management and is based on solid values and strategic aims towards the conservation of OUV in the site. The 5-year management plan was consulted with and written by a wide partnership, including landowners, Local Authorities and communities across the Site. There is an adjoining Delivery Plan which is reviewed, updated and publicly published bi-annually. Management plan is 'owned' by the Jurassic Coast Trust, however delivery is undertaken across a wide partnership of stakeholders (State Party of the UK, 2024). In a recent announcement, following the detailed review of the financial position of the JCT, Trustees have decided to close down the Trust and move the World Heritage Status back under the management of the Local Authorities of Dorset and Devon Councils (Devon County Council, 2025). Given this recent change and the transition period ahead, it remains to be seem how the management system is adjusted. Councils area actively gathering stakeholder feedback to help shape future management structure (IUCN Consultation, 2025).

There is a well formulated fossil collection code which visitors are informed of but it is difficult to enforce restrictions, though the impacts are relatively low (Reedman et al., 2024). Developments within the property are strictly controlled, however with the absence of a buffer zone, restrictions on offshore or nearby developments cannot be enforced, which may have detrimental impacts on the values of the site. The oil rig off Swanage in which drilled for oil in 2019 is an example of this.

Local authorities and other statutory funding provide core costs for operational work. Approximately 30% of the income is generated from trading activity which the JCT aims to grow to ensure that core costs can be covered in the face of reducing government and project grants (State Party of the UK, 2024). According to the JCT’s annual report in 2024 the total income in the year was £294,356 against costs of £279,153, resulting in a surplus of £15,203. The trust received £100K for core work from Dorset and Devon County Councils who provide funding on behalf of government to deliver on commitments made by the UK government to UNESCO to manage the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site. They also received £64K from Natural England for our core work that includes maintaining the fossil code for fossil collectors (JCT, 2024). However, overall, the intermittent and uncertain nature of grant funding has also led to cash flow challenges and uncertainty in planning. Ultimately following a detailed review of the financial position of the JCT, the Trustees have decided to close down the Trust and move the World Heritage status back under the management of local authorities of Dorset and Devon Councils (Devon County Council, 2025).

The current annual budget available to the Councils for the site's work is £90k, which covers one staff post for the time being and remaining funds are being allocated based on outcomes of stakeholder consultation and work programme planning. This ‘core’ budget may grow pending project work e.g. the likely resumption of Protected Site Strategy project in 2026 (IUCN Consultation, 2025).

There is currently a single staff member employed by Dorset council, and dedicated to the World Heritage site management on behalf of Devon and Dorset councils. Being now internal to Dorset Council, the post benefits from wider organisational support than it could whilst part of an independent organisation (IUCN Consultation, 2025).

The site has a strong legacy of education, which is built upon in the management plan in which education and engagement are central to the vision and strategic aims. An extensive education programme is implemented at the property, including a new interpretation framework and learning strategy – The Jurassic Coast Story Book and the Jurassic Journey (Jurassic Coast Trust, 2018; 2019). Both are designed to help guide engagement work by the wider partnership, especially museums and visitor centres (IUCN Consultation, 2020). However, the lack of university and museum input into the management of the Site under the new management system may be regarded as a loss compared to earlier systems in this regard (IUCN Consultation, 2020). A key component of the Partnership Plan is public engagement. The OUV of the site is referenced in visitor centres and museums across the site, but there is not a central point of reference to present and interpret the site.

The Principal Officer for World Heritage at Dorset Council continues to provide support for stakeholders running public engagement where possible, now that the Jurassic Coast Trust has closed (IUCN Consultation, 2025).

A wide range of publications have been produced and visitor interpretation centres established or improved since inscription (e.g. the Charmouth and Beer centres and Dorset Country Museum). Transport infrastructure has been improved (e.g. X53 Jurassic Coast Bus). The partner museums and visitor centres continue to actively engage in this element of the site's management (Jurassic Coast Trust, 2020). A high level museum feasibility study for a centre to store and tell the story of the coast through its fossils has recently been completed by independent consultants and a centre remains a long term ambition for the JCT (JCT, 2024). However, attempts to gain funding and wider strategic support for a new centre failed and with the closure of the JCT this line of work has effectively ended (IUCN Consultation, 2025).

The property occupies an extended narrow strip of coastal cliffs, beaches and intertidal areas and is not of great interest for natural resources use. No problems with the sustainable use have been reported (IUCN, 2001, Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, 2009, UNEP-WCMC, 2011). However, the Marine Management Organisation, and their licensing of aggregate extraction, needs careful monitoring (IUCN Consultation, 2020).

There is a detailed monitoring programme and state of conservation report is published annually for the site. The implementation of the management plan was monitored and steered according to advise from the Partnership Advisory Committee (PAC), which is a designated committee of the Jurassic Coast Trust, comprised of representatives from key stakeholders, as well as advisors from specialist areas (Jurassic Coast Trust, 2020). Now that the management is being handed over to the Dorset and Devon Councils, the World Heritage site monitoring programme will perhaps be adjusted. Nevertheless due to the overlaps with other national designations (e.g. SSIs, AONBs) there is ongoing monitoring of the majority of the site's features.

The property has supported geological and palaeontological knowledge generation for the last 200 years (Brunsden and Edmonds, 2010, UNEP-WCMC, 2011), and continues to host a wide range of research projects. The recently published ‘Jurassic Coast: geoscience and education’ special volume produced by the Proceedings of the Geologists Association contains a series of papers covering earth science, interpretation and learning and represents an important moment of reflection on the value of this WHS (IUCN Consultation, 2020; Larwood, 2019). A key aim of the JCT was to facilitate the identification and cataloguing of important fossils and provide long term access to both the public and academic communities. With the Trust's closure, the Jurassic Coast remains an area of high research interest, in particular relating to palaeontology and geological heritage management. Birmingham University in particular maintain strong links with the Site and have undertaken undergraduate and post graduate research projects relating to fossil collections and site management. A forthcoming novel PhD will be using a behavioural science approach to analyse barriers to pubic engagement with geological heritage, using the Jurassic Coast as the principal case study (IUCN Consultation, 2025).

The main outside threats to the property are pollution by oil or other chemical spills and infrastructure development in its immediate surroundings (e.g. Portland area). These cannot be fully controlled but so far have been addressed effectively, as in the MSC Napoli accident in 2007 (WHC, 2007), or regarding quarrying concessions in the vicinity of the property. Concerns were raised by some local communities regarding the oil and gas exploration off the coast of the site which occurred in 2019, however the project is likely to have done little damage to the geological values of the property for which it is inscribed.

The current management plan was well designed through a transparent and consultative process, and is therefore likely to have been effective given its emphasis on public engagement in management. Nevertheless, considering that the World Heritage Status has now been moved back under the management of the Local Authorities of Dorset and Devon Councils (Devon County Council, 2025), the current management systems seems to have failed and it remains to be seen how the transition period is handled and the management system reformed (again).