Locals in a UK town have been left upset after a much-loved seaside pavilion was knocked down by the National Trust.
The charity said the decision was made in preparation for expected coastal erosion in the south coast town, but residents were left confused as the timber cafe was 100ft back and 20ft above the shoreline.
But the site on Studland beach in Dorset was nevertheless returned to nature earlier this year – even in spite of a late effort from the local Parish Council to save it, reports the Daily Mail.
One resident, Andrew Parsons, called it a “senseless exercise in vandalism”, but the National Trust said it was just planning for future sea level rise, adding “our policy is to work with nature, not against it, by moving facilities out of harm’s way”, rather than advocating for a seemingly endless amount of sea walls.
During its demolition, a temporary mobile catering van was introduced at a car park further back at Studland’s Middle Beach – a favourite spot of legendary novelist Enid Blyton.
Parsons, who was himself a former parish councillor, was very upset with the National Trust, saying “the terrace is still there but they have torn a historic building down”.
He went on to add “the National Trust is meant to conserve buildings of merit”, while also claiming the demolition had “no geological or environmental justification for it”. He summed up his anger by saying: “the whole thing is outrageous”.
The conservation charity have long held this stance though – 19 years ago in 2004 it said its policy on coastal erosion was to “work with rather than against” rising sea levels, meaning buildings would be moved out of vulnerable areas.
Indeed, they plan to build a permanent cafe further inland, although its location has not yet been revealed.
Climate scientists have warned that sea level rise is just one of many results of man-made climate change which will cause profound economic and physical harm to humans.
Express.co.uk has produced a map of UK areas most at risk, with experts warning sea levels could increase as much as three metres if the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica collapses, as expected.
A National Trust spokesperson said: “We don’t believe that building new sea defences is the right thing to do. Our policy is to work with nature, not against it, by moving facilities out of harm’s way.
“It is a really active stretch of coastline and our policy recognises the reality of a changing coastline and sets out a response.
“The best opportunity to secure a vibrant future for Middle Beach is to act by removing buildings and infrastructure on a phased basis as they become vulnerable and replace them in a location that is out of harm’s way.’
