Final Report to DEFRA - Jurassic Coast

learnt from the process in terms of the implications of coastal change for different areas.
Detailed reports of each workshop were produced and circulated to participants. A copy
of the scenario, the workshop reports and other papers produced for the Swanage
scenario planning process is included at Appendix 4 by way of example.
A project plan was drawn up for each of the workstreams within the project. Appendix 1
summarises the extent to which these workstreams delivered the aims and outputs from
the project, give details of costs, plus further quantitative and/or qualitative evaluation of
each.
3.5 Key outcomes from the Jurassic Coast Pathfinder process
Detailed outputs and outcomes from the project are described in the appendices, but a
number of the most significant are summarised below in relation to the stated aims of the
project:
Table 4: key outcomes compared to aims of Jurassic Coast Pathfinder Project
AIMS
Aim 1: Coastal communities
who are well informed about
coastal change.
Aim 2: Coastal communities
who are well equipped to
debate coastal change
Aim 3: Coastal communities
who can play a meaningful role
in decisions about change
Aim 4: Coastal communities
who are more resilient and
well-prepared to deal with
coastal emergencies as well as
long-term change.
Aim 5: Coastal communities
who are supported in the
testing and acceptance of
practical action to adapt to
coastal change.
KEY OUTPUTS/OUTCOMES
There has been a demonstrable improvement in the awareness of
coastal change issues among key stakeholders in the six
communities identified as case studies (see section 3.6 - feedback
from workshop participants and exhibition attendees). While this
has not been matched by a measurable increase in awareness in
the wider communities of the Jurassic Coast (see section 3.6 –
residents’ survey),
There has been a significant improvement in the awareness
across the public sector partners involved in the project of why
and how effective stakeholder engagement can promote
sustainable adaptation to coastal change. A cohort of community
leaders, present and future, has been developed who are better
placed to lead and manage the debate about coastal change
within their communities. A small but robust network of capable,
trained facilitators has also been established in the public sector
which can better support communities in debating and addressing
coastal change and other issues. One case study community,
Swanage, has established a Swanage Coast Forum to continue
the discussion started by Pathfinder and raise awareness of the
issues within the town.
As a result of capacity building and awareness raising activities,
stakeholders involved in the Pathfinder process feel that they are
better equipped to influence the decision making process (see
section 3.6 – feedback from workshop participants)
The project has contributed to a growing realisation within
communities that they need to take action for themselves to
increase their resilience to coastal change, irrespective of action
taken by central and local Government (see section 3.6 –
feedback from workshop participants). Four of the six case study
sites are now considering community emergency resilience plans
for their areas.
There has been a step-change in the quality and quantity of
dialogue between coastal management professionals and
residents in the 6 communities identified as case studies (see
section 3.6 – feedback from workshop participants). A number of
specific proposals are under consideration as a result of bi-lateral
or multi-lateral discussions initiated by the Pathfinder project. One
case study community is now actively investigating the potential
for ‘roll back’ of a key community building threatened by erosion.
18