Plans could be afoot for a harbour to be built in Freshwater Bay, according to a public meeting notice.
Dick Downes of Atherfield has put up posters in the area suggesting that a harbour could be built by local people to protect small boats and boost the local economy.
VB asked about the reaction he’d had to the idea, “Mostly positive,” he told us.
“Protect against coastal erosion”
Dick Downes is in the property development business and tells us that he’s a member of Friends of the Earth and donates to Greenpeace, “There is an argument that there’s natural beauty there, but it has to be seen on balance, with the potential for employment. Eventually chalk cliffs will go and the harbour could be a way to protect against coastal erosion.” he said.
He also highlighted moorings as an advantage to the area, as there’s a considerable waiting list at Yarmouth, “I don’t want to upset people, just have an open discussion about it. I know that Freshwater bay has an enthusiastic resident association.”
Surfers unhappy with proposals
Despite the positive response Dick says he’s received to the idea, surfers across the Island are less enthusiastic.
The Wight Surf History Website published an article yesterday highlighting the meeting. Concerned at the loss of what British surfing champion Rodney Sumpter called “the best point break on the south of England”, plans to build a harbour in the bay are being met with anger by many surfers.
Call for public meeting
Below is the text from the meeting notice.
A few years ago, there was a storm that was not very well forecast, leading to some boats in Freshwater Bay sinking at their moorings.
I thought then that with two natural arms across the entrance of the bay, with the channel deepened for the salvage of the “Carl”, it would be relatively easy to create a small harbour here.
When researching the history of this, I was surprised to learn that about 50 (?) years ago, the Council offered the locals a choice of a breakwater to protect the road, or,”¦.. a harbour! I find it difficult to believe how the choice was made, or even if the story was true, but I have been told that at least one local has a copy of the plan for the proposed harbour?
I think there is a case for a harbour to be built today.
The advantages as I see it would be as follows”¦”¦”¦”¦”¦”¦”¦”¦”¦..
1. Shelter for local boats
2. Would provide protection for the Albion Hotel
3. Make launching the Lifeboat a lot easier in rough conditions
4. Provide a “Harbour of Refuge” for small boats caught out in storms that would make the Needles Channel dangerous
5. The West Wight economy is pretty dire. Building the Harbour (which would be carried out in the winter “off Season” period
6. Also, when built, there would be employment opportunities for small fishing and pleasure boats, a couple of passenger launches doing trips to the Needles, and other marine activities
7. Increased activity in the area, with a busy harbour, would draw more tourists to the area, adding to the income of pubs, hotels, etc”¦The only downside I see would be the loss of the Western arm of the current bay to surfers, who use it occasionally.
Provided the two arms of the harbour wall have a low enough profile, it should not spoil the view.
While I am sure a government and/or EU grant could be found toward the cost, (which will be substantial), I think it would be nice if it was built by the Isle of Wight locals, rather than a big firm that would cream off the profits rather than keep it in local hands.
What we don’t want is a cock up like the Ventnor harbour, which, for its size, and what it cost, to my mind was a complete waste of money!
There will be a meeting held in the Sandpipers Hotel on Sunday 25th at 7pm to see if there is enough interest locally to take this forward.
We hope to report back from the meeting.
