Coast Protection
White Cliffs Country Coastal Environment
The coastline within the district varies from chalk cliffs east
of Dover, to low-lying estuarial land at Sandwich Bay. A great
majority of the frontage is comprised of chalk cliffs, ranging in
height from 25 - 30 metres between Oldstairs Bay and Walmer Castle,
to 40 metres in St. Margaret's Bay. The stretch of coast at
Sandwich Bay forms part of the Wantsum Channel flood zone with wide
internal mudflats dominating Pegwell Bay of nature conservation
interest.
At Deal the residential area dominates the frontage with
commercial, tourist and recreation land uses also present. Steep
chalk cliffs commence at Kingsdown where the disused Ministry of
Defence defences of the former Royal Marines Rifle Range lie at the
base.
Extensive nature conservation designations cover the remaining
coastline with the characteristic white cliffs classified as
Heritage Coast. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) nature
conservation designations cover large sections of the coastline to
the south of Kingsdown. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
(AONB) south of Oldstairs Bay extends approximately one kilometre
offshore and three kilometres inland.
The sections of the frontage for which Dover District Council is
responsible are predominantly of shingle bank form. A narrow strip
of flint shingle first appears at the foot of the cliffs near Hope
Point and widens and thickens as it continues northwards.
Historically, material had derived from the erosion of the chalk
cliffs and also from offshore sources. However, there is currently
no significant source of shingle known offshore and only a small
quantity is derived from the cliffs.
E-mail: propertyservices@dover.gov.uk
