First surf reef in Europe planned

Plans for an £8m seafront development, which will include Europe's first artificial surf reef, have been given the green light.

Planners in Bournemouth agreed the proposal for Boscombe on Monday night.

Much of the revamp will be complete by 2007, and the surf reef - creating up to 8ft waves - is expected to be operational in 2008.

The project includes 170 homes at the eastern end of the car park and 42 beach huts on the seafront.

Surfing is a great niche to be tapping into Cllr Rob Copeland

Councillor Rob Copeland said: "The whole team is absolutely delighted.

"We're enhancing the areas unique character by sympathetically renovating the existing buildings, but also giving Boscombe something different - a European first, the artificial surf reef.

"Surfing is a great niche to be tapping into - it's a massively growing sport and has fabulous spectating potential too.

"I am really looking forward to seeing the fantastic difference this will make to the people of Boscombe and as an additional draw to Bournemouth as a whole."

The scheme involves renovating the pier and converting the centre part of the Overstrand building to a restaurant with panoramic views and adding lifeguard facilities to the ground floor.