This study will demonstrate that the Isle of Wight has a ‘world class coastline’ with respect to its geology, geomorphology and resulting coastal scenery. Since the 18th Century the principal reason for visitors travelling to the Isle of Wight has been for the magnificence of the coastal scenery, the picturesque landscape and for health-giving reasons. Much of the most spectacular coastal scenery is located within the less prosperous rural parts of the Isle of Wight and the results of the project will aim to give a much needed boost towards regeneration of rural economies based upon the Island’s greatest natural asset, its geology and coastal scenery.

The Isle of Wight coastline, particularly in the West Wight, is already one of the most designated parts of the European coast for the quality of its terrestrial and marine environments. The hierarchy of designations include Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) for its landscape, Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA) under the European Habitats and Birds Directives respectively, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for coastal geology and species, Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and Regionally Important Geological sites (RIGS).

The weight of scientific evidence clearly illustrates the strong foundation that exists through both statutory and non-statutory designations towards the case for highlighting the earth science value of the Island’s coastline. Furthermore, it has already been recognised that the Isle of Wight coastline is the most important resource in Europe for Cretaceous dinosaur remains. In summary, there is a match between the rural and more deprived parts of the Isle of Wight and the areas of greatest geological and geomorphological importance.