UK: Surfers Comment on Draft Environmental Statement for Rampion OWF

UK: Surfers Comment on Draft Environmental Statement for Rampion OWF

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is concerned with E-ON’s Draft Environmental Statement identifying potentially significant negative impacts on wave height of up to -22% at some of the country’s most popular and well established surfing beaches. This potential reduction would be an unacceptable level to SAS and the local surfing community.

Surfing and other wave-related sports (stand up paddle (SUP) boarding, kite surfing, wind surfing and kayaking) are incredibly popular in Brighton, and along the south coast. Even though this stretch of coastline generally receives low quality surf, it is of high importance to a vast number of people and the local community. These high value/low quality waves are also more sensitive to changes.

The mitigating action proposed in the Draft Environmental Statement, table 19-10: Summary of Residual Effects and Mitigation Measures is “Consultation with stakeholder groups. No other mitigation proposed.”

SAS says that this is unacceptable. Consulting stakeholder groups about a significant reduction in wave height and therefore wave quality is not mitigation. It will do nothing to reduce the significant impact on the wave height expected in Brighton and along the south coast.

Surfers Against Sewage asks for more information on how altering the turbine layout, size, numbers, placement, anchorage and any other mitigating actions could help reduce the potential negative impacts on surfing wave height.

SAS is requesting urgent discussions with E.ON to discuss the projected impacts on the surfing wave resource, associated socio-economic ramifications and to identify meaningful mitigating actions to safeguard Brighton’s surfing assets.

Surfers Against Sewage is also concerned that the impacts of a 22% reduction in wave height have not been investigated in the onshore or offshore socio-economic studies within the Draft Environmental Statement. Participants in surfing and other surf related sports help support a variety of businesses along the south coast.

According to SAS, surf shops, surf school and surf related businesses could be directly impacted by a loss of surfing days, as could hotels and B&Bs, cafes and restaurants. There is evidence to suggest that surfers spend 8% more than the average coastal visitor. SAS’s Waves Are Resources Report (2010) details how surfers spending habits help support the wider community.

The Waves Are Resources Report has been repeatedly referenced within the Draft Environmental Statement in relation to the quality of Brighton & south coast surfing waves, however, SAS says that E.ON has completely failed to reference socio-economic information or undertake any further research in this area. A 22% reduction in wave height has the potential to cause a loss of surf related jobs in the affected areas.

Surfing is also of significant social and cultural importance along the south coast, nowhere more so than in Brighton itself.

Surfers Against Sewage has contacted the Planning Inspectorate to be registered as an interested party when the Environmental Statement is submitted.

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Offshore WIND staff, August 8, 2012; Image: Surfers Against Sewage