Studland: Demolished Middle Beach Cafe site a 'horror show'

Until April this year, Middle Beach at Studland, Dorset, was the home of the country's oldest beach cafe, a timber building that had stood for over 100 years.

It was said to have been visited by children's author Enid Blyton who often holidayed at a hotel nearby.

Overlooking Studland Bay, the picturesque spot provided the perfect stop-off for tourists, dog walkers and ramblers using the South West Coast Path.

The beach was left to the National Trust in 1982 by a local landowner. But the conservation charity controversially demolished the cafe five months ago despite overwhelming opposition.

Despite being 60ft back from the sea, the trust claimed the cafe was at risk of coastal erosion and knocked it down as part of its managed retreat policy on climate change.

Since the cafe was razed, the once pretty setting now resembles an abandoned building site with ugly metal fencing surrounding it to keep trespassers away.

Middle Beach falls within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which means it is heavily protected and should be conserved to enhance its natural beauty.

But local residents and conservation groups say they are appalled by the 'bloody mess' that the trust has made of it.

Its approach to Middle Beach is in stark contrast to how the trust is looking to protect the natural beauty of nearby Brownsea Island, which is also in the AONB.

In response to a planning application for a new harbourside mansion on Sandbanks, which Brownsea Island looks out to, the National Trust's planning advisor wrote to the local council urging them to consider conserving the views and setting of the protected site.

The site viewed from above Picture: BNPS (Image: BNPS)

Andrew Parsons, a Studland resident and parish councillor who campaigned to save the cafe, said: "It is a horror show and you wonder what the National Trust is thinking.

"The cafe was a perfectly sound building which they have demolished. All they have done is make it a bloody mess and make it look like an abandoned building site. It is an eyesore and any passing tourist would be appalled.

"How can they leave it like that? Have they no aesthetic sensibility?

"Studland is a major National Trust destination, it is not some obscure backwater.

"We all loved that cafe and they have turned it into a bomb site and walked away."

The fenced-off site has also led to part of the coast path being blocked off to walkers.

Peter Bowyer, chair of trustees for the Dorset Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: "It is disappointing to see the state of the area occupied by the former cafe at Middle Beach.

"Dorset CPRE regret that footpath access to the site of the former cafe has been curtailed. Dorset CPRE regard improving the appearance of the site and restoring public access to be a priority for the National Trust in Purbeck."

Dorset Council has previously taken enforcement action against landowners who breach rules relating to the Dorset AONB.

A council spokesman said a condition of the planning permission for the demolition of the cafe was that the site be cleared of 'all materials arising from the demolition' within six months...in the interests of the AONB.

This means the National Trust has until October to return the Middle Beach site to its natural appearance.

A council spokesperson said: "The agents are currently working with the planning officers with regards to the conditions attached to the planning approval regarding the site of the previous cafe."

Designating AONB sites is the responsibility of Natural England, a government agency.

The beach cafe before it was demolished (Image: BNPS)

Nikki Hiorns, of Natural England, said it was down to the National Trust to sort out.

She said: "There are on-going coastal retreat works at Middle Beach, Studland, being delivered by the National Trust in order to adapt to natural coastal processes and sea level rise; this includes the demolition and relocation of facilities at Middle Beach.

"Natural England was consulted on the planning application for the demolition and removal of the buildings and provided comment specifically related to the nature conservation protected sites, which this work relates to. But the work itself is being carried out by the National Trust."

A National Trust spokesperson said that all 'man-made structures' on the site will be removed.

They said: "Due to the effects of coastal erosion, the facilities at Middle Beach, including the café and toilets, have been moved inland.

"We are now working to remove all man-made structures from the original site and allow the undercliff to return to a natural state. This will enhance the habitat for rare sand lizards and other reptiles, and let the area rejuvenate into a beautiful cove that locals and visitors can enjoy.

"The work will be carried out within the approved Biodiversity Plan certified by Dorset Council. This includes avoiding any activities that may disturb the sand lizards, particularly during the egg-laying and hatching period in summer.

"We are also trying to minimise disturbance to beachgoers by avoiding using heavy machinery during busy periods.

"A specialist engineering company is planning the sequence of works, in line with these constraints, as well as a number of statutory regulations. "We have already carried out extensive improvement works at Middle Beach since the timber clad café was removed in April. Spectacular viewpoints have been created in the new location, as well as a seating area and a new catering outlet.

"We are also improving access to the beach for pedestrians, paddleboards and kayaks."