Overview
- Coastal erosion accelerated after defences were removed in September under a managed-retreat plan, revealing a long-buried dump with debris including asbestos sheeting.
- The National Trust has closed Middle Beach for safety, saying a specialist contractor has removed some asbestos as teams carry out daily clean-ups.
- Officials say more material has emerged than anticipated, with a plan to reassess conditions after the winter storm period.
- The Trust argues gabion baskets were ineffective and risky, predicting the shoreline will naturally form a gentler slope over roughly 20 years.
- Local leaders and residents criticize the decision and cite a £100,000–£200,000 estimate to replace gabions, while Dorset Council directs hazard queries to the Trust as landowner.