Lyme Regis Cobb Stabilisation Scheme

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The Cobb is a historic harbour that serves as both a protective breakwater and a safeguard against erosion and flooding along the Lyme Bay coastline. Recent structural investigations have shown that the harbour is suffering from destabilisation caused by wave impact and sea floor erosion. The goal of this scheme is to reinforce and repair the harbour walls, ensuring that it continues its vital function for the bay and the local community and that its important heritage is safeguarded.

Project Update: 20 June 2025

The Outline Business Case (OBC) for Phase 5 of the Cobb stabilisation project was approved in 2022 with c.£2.7million funding secured from the Environment Agency. The project team has recently completed an engineering design option that aims to limit impact on the Cobb structure and the surrounding marine environment. Alongside this, a formal pre-application service engagement with Historic England, Natural England and South West Water has been undertaken and discussions continue with Historic England until agreement can be reached. These are all key stakeholders and Dorset Council are seeking their support for the design option before the formal planning process begins.

In terms of costs, updated construction budget costs have been provided by contractors with increases in project cost estimates due to inflation, contingency, and detailed design consultancy costs. The project team are seeking further funding avenues to address substantial funding shortfalls and await further funding decisions from the Environment Agency. The project team are also developing an expression of interest to the Heritage Lottery Fund and considering an expression of interest to the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme, aimed at improving surfacing and the landing quay on top of the Cobb. However, it is important to note that external funding bodies will also want to ensure that key stakeholders support the type of works being carried out on the Cobb, given its status as a Grade 1 listed building of international significance.

The funding which has been secured from the Environment Agency through the Outline Business Case (OBC) is to ensure the continued coastal protection function of the Cobb, therefore OBC structural repair works are being prioritised and preferred outline options to support stabilisation have been finalised. The project team are continuing discussions with Historic England for pre-application service advice, and we are now awaiting feedback to further supporting evidence recently supplied by the project team. It is an important part of the process, that agreement with Historic England is reached, prior to procuring consultancy services for detailed design.

In terms of proposed timelines, Dorset Council are planning to submit the necessary planning applications for construction in Summer 2026, and hope to start building between Winter 2026 and Spring 2027, subject to progress of consenting applications and funding availability. The project team will keep you updated with quarterly project updates and stay in touch with the Harbour Consultative and Advisory Groups. Plus, Dorset Coast Forum will be hosting public engagement and awareness sessions later this year following the procurement of detailed design consultancy services to keep everyone informed.

A summary of results from the User Access survey which was carried out during Sept to Oct 2023 can be viewed here: User Access survey report


The Cobb is a historic harbour that serves as both a protective breakwater and a safeguard against erosion and flooding along the Lyme Bay coastline. Recent structural investigations have shown that the harbour is suffering from destabilisation caused by wave impact and sea floor erosion. The goal of this scheme is to reinforce and repair the harbour walls, ensuring that it continues its vital function for the bay and the local community and that its important heritage is safeguarded.

Project Update: 20 June 2025

The Outline Business Case (OBC) for Phase 5 of the Cobb stabilisation project was approved in 2022 with c.£2.7million funding secured from the Environment Agency. The project team has recently completed an engineering design option that aims to limit impact on the Cobb structure and the surrounding marine environment. Alongside this, a formal pre-application service engagement with Historic England, Natural England and South West Water has been undertaken and discussions continue with Historic England until agreement can be reached. These are all key stakeholders and Dorset Council are seeking their support for the design option before the formal planning process begins.

In terms of costs, updated construction budget costs have been provided by contractors with increases in project cost estimates due to inflation, contingency, and detailed design consultancy costs. The project team are seeking further funding avenues to address substantial funding shortfalls and await further funding decisions from the Environment Agency. The project team are also developing an expression of interest to the Heritage Lottery Fund and considering an expression of interest to the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme, aimed at improving surfacing and the landing quay on top of the Cobb. However, it is important to note that external funding bodies will also want to ensure that key stakeholders support the type of works being carried out on the Cobb, given its status as a Grade 1 listed building of international significance.

The funding which has been secured from the Environment Agency through the Outline Business Case (OBC) is to ensure the continued coastal protection function of the Cobb, therefore OBC structural repair works are being prioritised and preferred outline options to support stabilisation have been finalised. The project team are continuing discussions with Historic England for pre-application service advice, and we are now awaiting feedback to further supporting evidence recently supplied by the project team. It is an important part of the process, that agreement with Historic England is reached, prior to procuring consultancy services for detailed design.

In terms of proposed timelines, Dorset Council are planning to submit the necessary planning applications for construction in Summer 2026, and hope to start building between Winter 2026 and Spring 2027, subject to progress of consenting applications and funding availability. The project team will keep you updated with quarterly project updates and stay in touch with the Harbour Consultative and Advisory Groups. Plus, Dorset Coast Forum will be hosting public engagement and awareness sessions later this year following the procurement of detailed design consultancy services to keep everyone informed.

A summary of results from the User Access survey which was carried out during Sept to Oct 2023 can be viewed here: User Access survey report


Page last updated: 25 Jun 2025, 12:30 PM