VITAL work along Studland’s coastline is expected to begin in the spring, the National Trust has said. 

Over the past few years, sea defences put in place by the trust have failed to prevent climate change from doing its work and eroding the cliffside. 

In early January 2023, the much-loved and historic Middle Beach Cafe was forced to close and later be demolished by the landowner, the National Trust. 

The trust said climate change has had a “visible impact” on the coastline and at high tide there is very little beach left. 

(Image: BNPS)

A spokeswoman for the National Trust has said the work to remove the pumping station, retaining wall and sea defences hasn’t begun yet. 

“The works require permissions from partner organisations – and this process is underway,” she said. 

“Providing we have the necessary licences and planning permission, the work will go ahead in spring 2025. 

“Removing the old sea defences will allow the beach to realign and form a natural cove. It’s not about stopping coastal erosion but allowing natural processes to take place.” 

On higher ground in the car park, a new temporary café was parked in April 2023 following bids for a new contract. 

This was awarded to James Warren, who opened his café The Sandy Salt Pig, a restaurant and butchery. 

Middle Beach Cafe on its final dayMiddle Beach Cafe on its final day (Image: Daily Echo)

But this was only going to be a makeshift facility, what will permanently replace Middle Beach Cafe is yet to be decided. 

“As yet, no plan has been made for a permanent café to replace the Sandy Salt Pig,” the National Trust added. 

“We are currently undertaking an extensive public consultation about the future of the whole Studland peninsula and the findings will be fed into our overall planning for the site." 

Last year, the National Trust said Middle Beach “continues to erode at a rapid pace compared to the rest of the Studland peninsula”.  

It cited Storm Ciaran in November 2023, which saw erosion rates “equivalent to what we might expect over five years occur in just one night”. 

The charity added much of Studland’s coastline is eroding at a rate of about 60cm per year, but this is just an average.  

During extreme weather conditions, it reported several metres can be lost overnight.