Community involvement in coast protection at Lyme Regis, UK.

The town of Lyme Regis is located on an unstable and eroding section of the West Dorset coastline in the UK. Such are the threats to the long-term future of the town from continuing instability that West Dorset District Council is promoting the implementation of a series of coast protection schemes to reduce the risk of destructive landsliding and coastal erosion from occurring in the future. The schemes involve major foreshore and slope stabilisation works which impact upon the town's residents and the tourist industry, both in their completed form and in terms of the disruption they may cause during construction. This paper outlines how heavy investment in public consultation by West Dorset District Council and high levels of participation from all interested parties minimises potential conflict and produces a sense of public ownership and a high level of consensus across the town. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]