Last chance for surf reef debate

Boscombe could become an attraction for surfers

Residents of a town where Europe's first artificial surf reef is to be built are getting a last chance to have their say about the seafront plan.

Councillors gave the go-ahead earlier this month for the £800,000 reef at Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, but want views on the rest of the £8m scheme.

This includes plans for a piazza, restaurants, and refurbished pier.

The last two events where people can have their say are on Saturday and Sunday at Boscombe Pier Approach.

The council has already been forced to reshape its plans after a government decision gave the pier entrance building listed status in December 2004.

World experts

If approved, the seafront scheme would see the removal of amusements and the land-train garage to make way for the new attractions.

Eighty-two unused beach bungalows would be converted into 42 "super chalets" for hire and lease.

A display of local heritage, surfing tuition, shops, public art and sculptures and improved toilet facilities would also go ahead.

Cllr Rob Copeland said: "We already know that there is widespread support for the plans from the extensive consultation already done, where people from Boscombe and across Bournemouth told us their most popular choices for the redevelopment are a restaurant, better landscaping, revamped Pier, and surf reef - all things we're including.

"Already, well over 100 people at the Sovereign Centre have taken the time to fill out comment forms telling us what they think.

"I hope this weekend even more people will come along and give us their views."

The surf reef's approval ended years of speculation over whether it would go ahead, during which time world experts carried out feasibility studies and local residents were consulted.