Dorset Surf Lagoon

The proposed development set out to deliver a surf lagoon, outdoor climbing wall, and outdoor recreation areas, alongside the relocation of the Avon Heath Country Park Visitor Centre. The proposed development will also include Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace. The site is located on a parcel of agricultural land in the Green Belt in Dorset. The local area for assessing the economic impacts includes the local authority areas of Dorset, BCP, and New Forest given the site’s proximity to all these areas.

Hardisty Jones was commissioned to deliver an economic impact assessment to support the case for the surf lagoon and associated development. This was used by the planning authority when it considers the development as part of a Green Belt balancing exercise.

We set out the socio-economic baseline, looking at the context of the local areas’ economy and, in particular, the tourism sector. We also set out local policy, identifying any ambitions relating to water sports and the visitor economy to assess the strategic fit that the proposed development would have with these policies.

We assessed the economic impacts generated by:

• the construction of the facility
• operation of the facility
• leisure spend by local people
• the attraction of visitors from outside the local area
• visitor spend in the wider local area, and
• through profile raising of the Dorset and Bournemouth area which leads to further increases to visitor numbers and spend.

The case was taken to planning appeal and Gareth Jones appeared as an expert witness on socio-economic matters at the examination-in-public. The appeal was successful, and planning permission was awarded.

If you would like to talk to us about how we can support your efforts to make the case for and assess the economic impacts for a development, please get in touch using the project lead contact details provided below.