Is Wavegarden surfing lake right for 'majestic' Avon Gorge?
A COUNCILLOR has backed campaigners who are protesting against plans for a £5 million surfing lake in the Avon Gorge.
In a letter to the Evening Post John Goulandris says he believes the 13-acre Bristol and West sports ground on the Portway should not be exploited for commercial gain, but remain "a majestic, natural and green gateway to Bristol".
The Stoke Bishop councillor says he wishes the men backing Wavegarden well, but wants confirmation as soon as possible that the proposed site has been discounted.
His letter will please members of the Friends of Avon Gorge who say the site is not suitable for a commercial venture because it would damage the character of the Avon Gorge and threaten important wildlife habitats.
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The Wavegarden project is the idea of Nick Hounsfield, 38, and Tobin Coles, 39, and is supported by Chris Hines MBE, a former director of sustainability at the Eden Project.
The surfing lake, which would be a world first, would also house a botanical garden, changing rooms, treatment rooms, a cafe, adventure trail, hire facility and sensory garden.
Mr Hounsfield maintains that the lake would be an attractive addition to the landscape and enhance local ecology by establishing a wildlife corridor and encouraging bio-diversity.
A full environmental impact assessment of the site would be carried out as part of the planning process, he says.
Mr Hounsfield denies the site would seek investment from large commercial food or drink companies and has already highlighted his desire to meet with the Friends of Avon Gorge to hear their concerns. If given the go-ahead they hope for Wavegarden to be in place by spring 2013.
But Mr Goulandris' standpoint has put more pressure on a project that is yet to get off the ground.
He wrote: "I can understand why Friends of the Avon Gorge, supported by local residents, are aghast at tentative plans to locate a commercial surf complex in the heart of the Avon Gorge.
"Planners and councillors have not always got in right in Bristol, but to date they have, quite correctly, resisted attempts by developers to exploit the Avon Gorge for commercial gain.
"As a result the Avon Gorge remains a majestic, natural, green gateway to Bristol, crowned by Brunel's masterpiece, the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Few cities can boast such a wonderful entrance.
"The Avon Gorge is, of course, more than just a visual beauty. It supports a delicate ecosystem with some unique flora and fauna.
"It is a wildlife corridor and a green lung, which is a unique and rare environmental asset so close to a major city centre. Long may it so remain.
"Wavegarden representatives say they are looking at a number of possible locations.
"I hope this is true and I would certainly encourage them to steer well away from sensitive environmental sites like the Avon Valley and the Avon Gorge.
"The reality is that for a surf centre to be commercially viable it will require a massive amount of highly intrusive and environmentally damaging commercial infrastructure.
"To create the 'wave' on a man- made lake as proposed via electricity is very expensive, and not a particularly green use of power, given that the sea makes waves without using up precious resources.
"This cost will need to be recouped somehow, if the venture is to survive and not go bankrupt.
"This can only mean lots of intrusive commercial development alongside the lake.
"If anyone doubts this, then just look over the border to North Somerset, where 'Leisuredome', on the former RAF site at Locking near Weston-super-Mare, will comprise a Subway outlet, takeaway Tennessee Chicken, a SOHO Coffee company cafe, Butcombe beer and possibly other retailers too. Without this commercial infrastructure, a stand alone surf centre is financially unviable. Indeed, Leisuredome will include a BMX and skateboard park, gym, ski centre and meeting facilities, as well as a surf centre.
"In summary, I wish Wavegarden well. It's a nice, if naive idea. Realistically, it will only work as part of a larger leisure complex.
"However, I would urge them to choose possible sites with much more care in future and to confirm as soon as possible they have discounted the Avon Gorge as a possible location.
"Please leave the Avon Gorge alone and please do not to jeopardise its unique environmental qualities for commercial profit."
Comments
by joestrugs
Thursday, February 16 2012, 3:36PM
“"Would love to interview a few Bristonians for an article covering Bristol's plans to create the world's first inland wavegarden. If interested please email me at joestrugs@hotmail.co.uk Thank you"”
by SurfingGirl
Thursday, February 02 2012, 6:46PM
“The old B&W sportsground is not a wasteland it is fallow grassland, this is an important resource for local wildlife and forms part of the green corridor running down through the Avon Gorge.
By prioritising this site Wavegarden are doing Bristol a disservice, there are still plenty of brownfield sites in Bristol that would welcome Wavegarden with open arms and could be supported by all.
Introducing a commercial entreprise into the Avon Gorge is bound to be contentious so why pick this site?
Yes it should go ahead but pick a better site please!!! Then we can all rejoice as one.”
by fordy999
Wednesday, January 11 2012, 11:26AM
“What better option can there be?
Wavegarden are proposing that the lake is surrounded by botanical gardens designed by Sue Minter. How is that jeopardising it as a wildlife corridor and a green lung?
There are no large buildings in the schematics that wavegarden have released... its a lake surrounded by trees... there is no comparison to the leisure dome, why mention it?
Dont pick on their use of electricity as being "not a particularly green use of power"... install a powerPerfector and save your electricity and carbon by approx 20% Also, apparently there are 4500 surfers living in Bristol (including me)... I spend thousands on diesel traveling to Cornwall, North Devon, South Wales etc... multiply that out by 4500 surfers in Bristol! Plus, our energy crisis is a global phenomenon that needs to be addressed not just some lip service and a mention in an effort to undermine a truly fantastic project.
If left in its current state the land will:
A, be snapped up for houses or a super store or other intrusive venture
B, Occupied by more travelers - why does this county allow travelers to rock up anywhere and set up home? Yet normal law abiding citizens can't event add a conservatory to their own home?
C, Stay the embarrassment it currently is with decaying fences and general lack of care in the green gateway to Bristol, crowned by Brunel's masterpiece, the Clifton Suspension Bridge!
I agree with previous posts...
:)”
by busmyc
Sunday, January 01 2012, 2:34PM
“YES. This is what is needed. This area is not a place of natural beauty but waste land with rusting fences. This is a chance to make it into a place of natural beauty and yes this is a sport that would be welcome in Bristol. It is far enough away from houses so would not affect their view as the houses are nearer to the nature reserve field and lake which is on the other side of the railway track away from where this sports field would be.
As far back to the early 60s this has always been use for sport, my father would take us all there on family event days.
So if the local residence and people of Friends of Avon Gorge want to keep it as a place of what they call natural beauty, why don't they buy the land and turn into a place of natural beauty. If not stop interfering and let people put life back and natural beauty into this area.”
by krysia1974
Sunday, January 01 2012, 1:09PM
“The council is waiting for the best (most money offered) student accomodation proposition for the site, then they will give that the go ahead, Bristol doesnt need any additional sporting facilities, we already have them in Horfield Sports Centre, Robin Cousins Sports Centre, Bristol Ice Rink etc, The rink has only been there for just under fifty years and is not yet collapsing (but nearly), anyway all these places are world class facilities, plus the council always blocks anything the majority wants, and backs the minority.”
by lolly60
Sunday, January 01 2012, 10:54AM
“@PROPSreal
GET A LIFE”
by fatboy67
Sunday, January 01 2012, 10:26AM
“This could be a fantastic welcome to Bristol sign if it was to go ahead. Currently you just drive past a green wasteland boadered by a rusting fence. What a great welcome to Bristol sign that is.This water related sport and Bristol has always marketed itsself on the docks so why not have a wavegarden. Bristol has an oppertunity to bring its self in to the modern age yet still retain its natrul beauty.”
by bobob3
Sunday, January 01 2012, 9:13AM
“Bet he lives near the lake!”
by Tim_M
Saturday, December 31 2011, 8:16PM
“Yes, Wavegarden is right for that particular location, which it would improve immensely. Planning restrictions can ensure it won't come with three drive-through fast food joints or the like attached to it.”
by hugodraxuk
Saturday, December 31 2011, 4:51PM
“As I understand it the site is currently as disused sports ground, that I going to be replaced with a lake and botanical garden. How is this going to threaten important wildlife habitats? This site isn't going to stay empty forever so surely it makes sense to build something that enhances the area and brings jobs and visitors to the city.
As for the idea that the site may contain commercial enterprise, how is this a problem? What does the councillor expect? Would he prefer the whole of Bristol to slowly get run down for fear that someone might make a profit by investing in the city?
Once again Bristol is set to miss out because of a few people don't like any kind of development near them. It'll be the same thing as the Bristol City ground, Bristol missing out on new facilities that enhance the city.”