Campaigner's relief as surf lake plan for Avon Gorge is revised
A CAMPAIGNER has expressed his relief that developers planning a £5 million surfing lake in the Avon Gorge on land next to the Portway are to look elsewhere.
However David Wedge has wished Nick Hounsfield and Tobin Coles, who came up with the concept of Wavegarden UK, all the best in finding an appropriate site.
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David Wedge by the site initially proposed for a £5 million surfing lake
Mr Hounsfield and Mr Coles had wanted to use technology developed by a Spanish company to create Wavegarden UK at the 13-acre Bristol and West sports ground along the Portway near Sea Mills.
But David Wedge, who is not against the project, argued the particular site was inappropriate as it is home to rare plants and plays an important role in sustaining the ecosystems that surround it in adjoining Bishops Knoll woods.
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In addition he said the ancient woodland, managed by the Woodland Trust, is a site of local nature conservation importance and has tree preservation orders on some of the many trees across the site.
Last month Mr Hounsfield and Mr Coles announced they were looking for a new home for the project as the Wavegarden UK concept had increased in size.
They say discussions are taking place with landowners on two alternative sites, but the Bristol Wave team has not revealed where the sites are.
Friends of Avon Gorge member Mr Wedge said: "It has been clear for some time that a much larger site than the Avon Gorge location would be required to support the scale needed by a business of that kind. I'm pleased that has been recognised and I wish them well.
"The Avon Gorge, remarkably given its proximity to one of England's largest cities, remains a truly wild place.
"I for one value that greatly, and its designations suggest that the bodies with more knowledge and clout agree.
"The Avon Gorge and Valley are at the centre of a complex of highly protected landscapes and wildlife habitats.
"This is incompatible with making it into a business development zone.
"There is a lot of land in the city which would greatly benefit from the regeneration offered by capital investment of this kind. For example the sad closure of the runway at Filton came as a blow to the city – it's commerce, prestige and sense of self. However, times change and on the positive side, such things do mean a great deal of suitable space is available for new business ventures.
"Let's hope for great new things in the city in 2013 whilst offering safe stewardship to the best of what has come down to us from the past like the beauty and wildness of the Avon Gorge."
Comments
by DavidSMoore
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 11:36AM
“One can see from the ratings on the comments to date that thankfully people of Bristol are not, hopefully insensitive to conserving the treasures of the Earth. But hopefully too want the young and energetic to have facilities to have wholesome fun. The Avon Gorge for anyone who wants to look into it is a particularly distinct place in terms of rare habitats and species, and we should be grateful for it's special wildlife.
I hope they will find a good suitable place for this 'wave venture', as long as it is sound honest good business, so that the youthful (of all ages able to) can have good fun, and that they and others can continue to be glad about the beauties and specialness of the Avon Gorge.”
by welliedog2
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 10:35AM
“A 'surf lake' is a stupid idea, especially when Bristol is on around 1 hours drive from the coast of North Devon / Wales where there is excellent real surf.
'Friends of Avon Gorge' member Mr Wedge...yeah I get the picture, it IS a stupid idea but with people like Mr Wedge around it was never gonna happen anyway.”
by David565
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 9:55AM
“The Wave scheme is proceeding I think, but in a different area because the land was too small on the Portway.
I for one think it is a shame that the Wave project have moved to a different site, The Portway site is owned by the bank still and will only build something commercially intensive on it. Given Mr. Wedge etc opposition, it means this land will be in a stalemate for decades to come and the landowner could mow the grass and kill any ecology in half a day....not a happy position to be in. We need more open minded people in Bristol.”
by swrural
Monday, December 31 2012, 10:20PM
“The biggest mistake is to allow developers to develop a 'scruffy' site because of that. This is what they want you to accept. Thankfully our planning officers and national environmental agencies have the powers to stop such irresponsible development.”
by rocketbob
Monday, December 31 2012, 12:55PM
“thats ok! Any development is welcome as long as it is not in Bristol!!!!!!!
Houses, stadiums, etc. just over the border Glos and Somerset don`t mind. They are just about to build on Green Belt Land at Harry Stoke and on Filton Airfield.
After all who wants to come into Bristol through all that traffic?
Bristol builds nothing, but the plans for the infrastructure on the borders of Bristol are growing steadily. After all who in Taunton or Gloucester wants ant devlopement around them. Push it to the Bristol borders, the people living in the suberbs have little say or support.after all the`re not even Bristolians!”
by dicktator
Monday, December 31 2012, 7:32AM
“What a shame that this exciting venture is not proceeding. It is most probable that the economics behind the scheme did not stack up rather than the preferences of a few elite dog walkers who use this increasingly scruffy piece of land. Restoring the space to playing fields would be the ultimate solution but if this is done with private funds again the economics probably don't work”