NEW public consultations are expected about proposals to strengthen the seawall at Chesil Cove, Portland.

A new area of huge rocks, to break up the power of the waves, is being planned as part of the works, along with repairs to the seawall.

The scheme, which is in the final design stage, will require planning permission and a licence from the Marine Management Organisation if it is to go ahead.

Dorset Council has been unable to say how much the works are likely to cost, or how long the engineering process might take to complete.

The proposals suggest that some heavy machinery to be used for the project will have to be driven along the beach from the Masonic car park where a works compound is likely to be set up.

A report prepared for Dorset Council by the specialist Jacobs group says that unless the works go ahead there could be accelerating coastal erosion of 25 metres over 100 years, leading to mudslides and deep seated landslides above the seawall which would, ultimately, put adjacent properties and local roads at risk.

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Jacobs says the works will comprise of various repairs to the existing seawall, the demolition of the stairs and buttress installed in 2011 as part of emergency works at the time and the creation of a rock revetment in front of the seawall.

It says the aim of the scheme is to “protect and reinforce the coastal frontage, by reducing the risk of undermining of the seawall due to ongoing coastal erosion at the base of West Weares Landslide system, thus preventing destabilisation of cliffs.”

Consideration is being given to the effect of the works on wildlife and to local people who will have to put up with temporary traffic restrictions while the works take place; restrictions on the use of the beach; the promenade and the South West Coast Path.

Businesses, the closest being Quiddles Café, will be consulted about the timing of the works with further public consultations expected to take place when a programme has been developed, subject to funding being secured.

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Said a report to councillors: “The seawall at Chesil Cove fronts a large landslide system at the West Weares.

"The seawall was constructed in 1965 to prevent erosion at the base of the system and associated destabilisation of the cliffs situated immediately landward of the seawall.

"By preventing coastal erosion at the toe of the landslide system, the seawall is helping to protect houses, including recently developed chalets, utilities, local roads, coastal footpaths, and the main access road to Portland (A354) which flank the landslide on its north and east sides.”

Emergency works were carried out in 2011 after serious undercutting by the sea and the failure of the southern end of the seawall, with continuing erosion since then resulting in those works also being undermined.

The preferred option for the works is to repair and strengthen the current seawall and to protect it with a rock armour revetment, extending 26 metres seaward from the seawall base, made up of two layers of 10-15 tonne rocks.