Fishermen delay surf reef plans

Plans for a surf reef are already fuelling property speculation

Ambitious plans for Europe's first artificial surf reef along the Dorset coast have been delayed by objections from fishermen.

The £1.4m reef is to be built along Boscombe seafront in Bournemouth in a bid to attract up 10,000 surfers a year to the seaside town.

Sand-filled geo-textile bags will be submerged east of the pier to create waves up to 13ft (4m).

But fishermen have objected to the plans over fears about fish stocks.

I don't think it will drive fish away but think it will attract marine life Cllr Stanley-Watts

Southern Sea Fisheries has made representations to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) about its fears over the environmental effects on the area and on fish stocks.

Bournemouth Borough Council believes the reef will have a "neutral effect" on the environment.

It said marine life was likely to thrive on the reef, with no damage caused to the beach.

Cllr Stanley-Watts earlier said the fishermen's fears about the reef were "unfounded".

It is hoped the artificial reef would turn the town into a surf resort

"I don't think it will drive fish away but it will attract marine life and be colonised by crabs and molluscs," he said.

"Fish will be attracted to it. I think those fears are groundless.

"Fingers crossed, it will get sorted out. It's an integral part of the regeneration plans of the seafront."

Work was due to start in the autumn but has now been put on hold until Defra makes a decision.

The reef is part of an £8m surfing-themed regeneration of the seafront, the Boscombe Spa Village scheme.