Waterfront event highlights key issues affecting businesses around the Solent
Businesses from across the region congregated at Southampton Football Club stadium on Friday 27th April to discuss the way forward in helping marine businesses gain greater access to waterfront facilities in the Solent region. Martin Hendry of Adams Hendry Consultants presented the study they are undertaking to support development of the strategy.
There is a current shortage of good quality waterfront access and many local companies are having to face the prospect of relocating within the UK or even abroad to get the facilities they need.
Businesses attending the event raised a number of concerns, including experiencing difficulties in contributing to the planning process and the environmental constraints that businesses face when trying to use coastal waters. Protecting strategic sites, availability of moorings and waterfront facilities were also key issues raised at the event.
Now is the time that the Solent can exploit trends in the international marine industry such as the growth of the superyacht market. Business excellence within the Solent region is now allowing companies to compete effectively in an international arena, but the waterfront is key to enabling companies to grow.
There was also discussion on how the South East could lead the way in developing a waterfront strategy. Marine businesses around the world are facing similar issues, and this is a chance for the Solent to take centre stage and show how it can be tackled effectively.
With new sites becoming available, such as RAF Hythe, which SEEDA are in the process of purchasing, Marine South East is working in partnership with the Regional Development Agency to ensure that marine businesses are able to benefit from this prime waterfront location.
The meeting was part of a pilot study to develop a waterfront strategy initially covering the Solent coastal strip area from Littlehampton in the East to Barton-on-sea in the West (including the Isle of Wight). If this pilot activity is successful the development of a waterfront strategy may be extended to other areas in the South East region. The strategy is being developed in partnership with SEEDA. It will highlight the competition facing the marine industry as it fights to gain development sites ahead of other industries such as residential development. It will identify the prospects and needs for each sector, including the requirements of supply chains. It will also look at the changing business climate, including issues such as the increased need for water transport in light of issues facing land transport capacity.
Continuing the success of the South East region's world-class marine industry, employing more than 100,000 people, is dependent on its water frontage. Optimising future investment in vital industrial, commercial and recreational assets is therefore a key element of the region's economic strategy.
It is envisaged that this waterfront strategy will assist The South East England Regional Development Agency, SEERA, Environment Agency, Local Authorities and other key agencies in securing maximum sustainable economic development from the Solent sub-region for local business and communities.
The waterfront strategy is being put together by SEEDA and ne South East and, and is being developed through a strategy steering panel. The panel includes:
Sally Banham, British Marine Federation
Rachel Andrews, SEEDA
Jonathan Williams, Marine South East
Iain Shepherd, Marine South East
Graham Clarke, Euromaritime
Barbara Thomson, Portsmouth City CouncilSteven Young, Associated British Ports
Lynda Dine, Gosport Borough Council
Frank Campbell, Havant Borough Council
Jörn Peters SEERA
Bill Murphy, Isle of Wight
If you would like to find out more log on to the Marine South East website http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/ongoing_projects and click on Solent waterfront strategy.
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