Ventnor Undercliff and Cowes to Gurnard

The town of Ventnor and its surrounding villages and parts of Cowes and Gurnard are built on pre-existing landslide features. These form the distinctive coastal terraces and slopes and have implications for these towns and their communities. Advice and information for homeowners and interested organisations in these areas has been developed. Detailed geotechnical studies commissioned by us have shown that it may be possible to reduce the likelihood and impact of future ground movements if a proactive approach to managing ground instability is taken. The actions taken by homeowners and developers on their individual properties can contribute to the ground stability situation in areas vulnerable to ground movement.

A leaflet for homeowners (PDF, 709KB) is available to provide advice on property maintenance, control of water in the ground, management of slopes and related issues.

The Cowes to Gurnard coastal slope stability study - ground behaviour assessment (PDF, 4.6MB) provides information on the ground stability issues affecting parts of Cowes and Gurnard.

There are also maps to accompany the Cowes to Gurnard assessment report (PDF, 20.7MB).

For further enquiries please contact coast@iow.gov.uk.

On the south coast of the Isle of Wight the Ventnor Undercliff is the largest urbanised landslide complex in North-western Europe. It extends for 12km from Blackgang in the west to Bonchurch in the east. This includes the town of Ventnor and the villages of Bonchurch, St Lawrence, Luccombe, parts of Niton and Blackgang. Parts of the area are affected by ground movement.

A leaflet for homeowners (PDF, 1.5MB) is available to provide advice on property maintenance, control of water in the ground, management of slopes and related issues.

The Undercliff of the Isle of Wight - A guide to managing ground instability (2007) (PDF, 8.3MB) provides practical information for all those with an interest in the Undercliff. It is clearly illustrated and in readable format, illustrating how good practice can contribute towards a reduction in the problems of ground movement.

The Undercliff of the Isle of Wight - A review of ground behaviour (1995) (PDF, 872KB) is a technical report providing important information on the ground movement problems in Ventnor and St Lawrence.

Coastal landslip potential assessment, Isle of Wight Undercliff, Ventnor (1991) (PDF, 5.2MB) is a technical report providing important information about the ground movement problems in Ventnor.

Ground movement in Ventnor, Isle of Wight Undercliff (1991) (PDF, 51.5MB) is a summary of the technical report above.

There is also a report on the study of landsliding in and around Luccombe village (1989) (PDF, 9MB).

The Ventnor Undercliff reports are accompanied by a set of maps of geomorphology, ground behaviour and planning guidance. They provide information on the ground conditions and the suitability for development.

For further enquiries, including access to the maps, please contact coast@iow.gov.uk.

Information about current and future coastal risks in each of these areas can also be found in chapter four of the Isle of Wight Shoreline Management Plan. You can also view information on the latest studies and coastal defence schemes.