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Expert fears marina could pollute beach
THIS massive tide of seaweed demonstrates that a new 290-berth marina could flood Weymouth's prized beach with a river of rubbish, retired lecturer Geoffrey Poole claimed today.
A council exhibition into the Howard Holdings scheme highlighted a report by experts at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology at Wallingford which says the marina can be implemented without adverse impact on Weymouth Beach'.
The council's September 2007 management committee then formally concluded that the planned marina was not detrimental to the beach' and that its size need not be restricted to 150 berths.
But Mr Poole, who correctly predicted the movement of shingle at Overcombe following work on the beach at Greenhill, claims that the report also comments on floating pollutants - such as sewage, plastic and fast food containers - and that this does pose a real threat to the beach.
He has a copy of the Wallingford report and agreed with its experts that there was no cause for concern for the beach in tests applied specifically to potential dissolved pollutants.
But he added: "What has been omitted from the exhibition is what the report goes on to say."
He said it read: Floating pollutants may behave in a different way and are greatly subject to wind. The marina may shelter flotsam and jetsam to a greater degree.'
Mr Poole said the huge influx of floating seaweed recently washed up on the beach may be an ominous sign of things to come from the marina.
He added: "The marina may well pose no threat from dissolved pollutants such as germs, but the report clearly says that floating waste may be driven on to the beach.
"Now if the marina has 290 berths it could be a pollution disaster for Weymouth the first time a strong on-shore wind occurs.
"We could find ourselves facing a tideline of trouble from waste such as sewage, discarded fast food containers and all manner of other rubbish washing up on our prized beach.
"Unless some form of strict waste management can be achieved then the council should turn down the marina altogether. Otherwise it will be a straight choice between boats or the beach. I think it is a shocking threat to something that the council claims is the jewel in its crown.
"If this large marina goes ahead then it will be a case of when' the beach is covered in rubbish, not if, and people will potentially be going sunbathing or building sandcastles against a backdrop of a constant tide of rubbish."
Weymouth and Portland planning manager Simon Williams said: "Any marina would be subject to a strict management regime which would include matters of waste management and disposal.
"The primary decision authority for the marina at Weymouth will be the Government's Department of Transport and they will consider environmental impact in a most rigorous manner including potential impacts on the beach."
11:36am Friday 2nd May 2008
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CommentPosted by: John Holmes, Weymouth on 11:52am Fri 2 May 08
Oh my God the Grim Reaper has returned - this is the man who almost single-handedly caused the delay of the proposed shopping centre in Weymouth in the 1980's and the subsequent 12 year bombsite. Be afraid, be very afraid!
Oh my God the Grim Reaper has returned - this is the man who almost single-handedly caused the delay of the proposed shopping centre in Weymouth in the 1980's and the subsequent 12 year bombsite. Be afraid, be very afraid!
Posted by: The Fish, Weymouth on 12:16pm Fri 2 May 08
Why do we need another 290 berth Marina? Spaces are available within the two Weymouth Harbour Marinas and no doubt plenty will be available in the new marina at Portland (Osprey Quay & potentially the Qinetic site should they get their permission).
Why do we need another 290 berth Marina? Spaces are available within the two Weymouth Harbour Marinas and no doubt plenty will be available in the new marina at Portland (Osprey Quay & potentially the Qinetic site should they get their permission).
Posted by: maximus, Weymouth on 12:45pm Fri 2 May 08
[quote]Mr Poole, who correctly predicted the movement of shingle at Overcombe[/quote] He was right before, why shouldn't he right this time? It is illegal to dump rubbish (even apple cores as in a recent court case) on the streets, fields and in the hedgerows, why does Simon Williams think boat-owners will be different? No one can be watched 24/7 even CCTV operators are human and can miss things happening.
Mr Poole, who correctly predicted the movement of shingle at Overcombe
He was right before, why shouldn't he right this time? It is illegal to dump rubbish (even apple cores as in a recent court case) on the streets, fields and in the hedgerows, why does Simon Williams think boat-owners will be different? No one can be watched 24/7 even CCTV operators are human and can miss things happening.
Posted by: Old Synic, Wyke on 1:07pm Fri 2 May 08
Grim reaper or not maybe this guy should just be listened to and his comments investigated.
Grim reaper or not maybe this guy should just be listened to and his comments investigated.
Posted by: John Holmes, Weymouth on 2:35pm Fri 2 May 08
[quote][bold]Old Synic[/bold] wrote:
Grim reaper or not maybe this guy should just be listened to and his comments investigated.[/quote] Oh come on. How many people on the beach in the summer? 20,000+ easily. I think there is a bit more cr@p left behind by them than a few boats 1/2 mile offshore. Have you seen what the beach looks like at the end of a summer's day? Disgusting!
Old Synic wrote:
Grim reaper or not maybe this guy should just be listened to and his comments investigated.
Oh come on. How many people on the beach in the summer? 20,000+ easily. I think there is a bit more cr@p left behind by them than a few boats 1/2 mile offshore. Have you seen what the beach looks like at the end of a summer's day? Disgusting!
Posted by: anneofportland, Portland on 2:39pm Fri 2 May 08
id much rather listen to local experts like Mr Poole than all the remote consultants who get paid to look at computer models and make guesses. Mr Pool is a local man who knows the situation.
id much rather listen to local experts like Mr Poole than all the remote consultants who get paid to look at computer models and make guesses. Mr Pool is a local man who knows the situation.
Posted by: John Holmes, Weymouth on 2:39pm Fri 2 May 08
[quote][bold]The Fish[/bold] wrote:
Why do we need another 290 berth Marina? Spaces are available within the two Weymouth Harbour Marinas and no doubt plenty will be available in the new marina at Portland (Osprey Quay & potentially the Qinetic site should they get their permission).[/quote] I think you will find there is a waiting list for both and there will not be a marina at Bincleaves - which by the way has been passed. Osprey Quay has been underway for three months. Setting a precedent maybe?
The Fish wrote:
Why do we need another 290 berth Marina? Spaces are available within the two Weymouth Harbour Marinas and no doubt plenty will be available in the new marina at Portland (Osprey Quay & potentially the Qinetic site should they get their permission).
I think you will find there is a waiting list for both and there will not be a marina at Bincleaves - which by the way has been passed. Osprey Quay has been underway for three months. Setting a precedent maybe?
Posted by: aacbuk, portland on 3:44pm Fri 2 May 08
This report doesnt specify whether the pollution will be caused by the large amount of yachts. Let me put your mind at rest, yacht owners and crew are very respectful of their environments and have a large amount of legislation to comply with, and large fines for non-compliance. It is highly unlikely that the yachts themselves will be the cause of the pollution, especially when proper shore side reception facilities are made available for recycling, sewage treatment, and waste oils. I would suggest that any extra flotsam or jetsam would be created by the rude tourists (and many locals) who come to our town, and make no effort to keep it clean. Obviously with the new marina being a major attraction this would likely be a path well trodden with rubbish. Incidentally, have you been to any of the large marinas in europe or America, the y stand testament to my points made here.
This report doesnt specify whether the pollution will be caused by the large amount of yachts. Let me put your mind at rest, yacht owners and crew are very respectful of their environments and have a large amount of legislation to comply with, and large fines for non-compliance. It is highly unlikely that the yachts themselves will be the cause of the pollution, especially when proper shore side reception facilities are made available for recycling, sewage treatment, and waste oils. I would suggest that any extra flotsam or jetsam would be created by the rude tourists (and many locals) who come to our town, and make no effort to keep it clean. Obviously with the new marina being a major attraction this would likely be a path well trodden with rubbish. Incidentally, have you been to any of the large marinas in europe or America, the y stand testament to my points made here.
Posted by: Mike, Portland on 3:50pm Fri 2 May 08
I dont want to see yet another marina let alone a load of flats Weymouth is going down the pan fast enough without speeding things up.
I dont want to see yet another marina let alone a load of flats Weymouth is going down the pan fast enough without speeding things up.
Posted by: Chris C, Rodwell on 7:32pm Fri 2 May 08
A huge marina will be another blot on the landscape to add to the monstrous flat development, if it is approved. All we need is a refurbished theatre and a tidy up of the car parking area. Condor can develop their own facilities.
A huge marina will be another blot on the landscape to add to the monstrous flat development, if it is approved. All we need is a refurbished theatre and a tidy up of the car parking area. Condor can develop their own facilities.
Posted by: nige, dorchester on 8:03pm Fri 2 May 08
One thing has always puzzled me about Weymouth marina. If you look at the standard and quality of some of the Yachts in the marina then there is clearly pleanty of money in the area. Why then is Weymouth so crummy? Where are the people who own these yachts and boats spending their money because it clearly isn't in Weymouth.
One thing has always puzzled me about Weymouth marina. If you look at the standard and quality of some of the Yachts in the marina then there is clearly pleanty of money in the area. Why then is Weymouth so crummy? Where are the people who own these yachts and boats spending their money because it clearly isn't in Weymouth.
Posted by: maximus, Weymouth on 9:07pm Fri 2 May 08
[bold]nige, dorchester[/bold] They probably stock up with provisions before they leave home, transfer them to their boat and then restock where-ever they sail to. About the only things they are likely to buy in Weymouth are a few perishable food items that would not have survived the car journey.
nige, dorchester They probably stock up with provisions before they leave home, transfer them to their boat and then restock where-ever they sail to. About the only things they are likely to buy in Weymouth are a few perishable food items that would not have survived the car journey.
Posted by: maximus, Weymouth on 9:14pm Fri 2 May 08
[quote]yacht owners and crew are very respectful of their environments and have a large amount of legislation to comply with, and large fines for non-compliance[/quote] Substitute the words 'the general public' or 'the motoring public' for the words 'yacht owners and crew' in the comment made above by [bold]aacbuk, portland[/bold] and you will see why there are fears that rubbish of various sorts may be inappropriately abandoned. The same applies to all groups as far as legislation and compliance is concerned.
yacht owners and crew are very respectful of their environments and have a large amount of legislation to comply with, and large fines for non-compliance
Substitute the words 'the general public' or 'the motoring public' for the words 'yacht owners and crew' in the comment made above by
aacbuk, portland and you will see why there are fears that rubbish of various sorts may be inappropriately abandoned. The same applies to all groups as far as legislation and compliance is concerned.
Posted by: John Holmes, Weymouth on 8:24am Sat 3 May 08
[quote][bold]Mike[/bold] wrote:
I dont want to see yet another marina let alone a load of flats Weymouth is going down the pan fast enough without speeding things up.[/quote] I don't see the logic in this statement? Since when has a marina being built brought ruin to a town/city? I always thought it was quite the opposite?
Mike wrote:
I dont want to see yet another marina let alone a load of flats Weymouth is going down the pan fast enough without speeding things up.
I don't see the logic in this statement? Since when has a marina being built brought ruin to a town/city? I always thought it was quite the opposite?
Posted by: Mike, Portland on 8:41am Sat 3 May 08
[quote][bold]John Holmes[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Mike[/bold] wrote: I dont want to see yet another marina let alone a load of flats Weymouth is going down the pan fast enough without speeding things up.[/quote] I don't see the logic in this statement? Since when has a marina being built brought ruin to a town/city? I always thought it was quite the opposite? [/quote] We have enough marinas we need to improve other things like a water park to encourage visitors to come,& the last thing we need is a load of flats that nobody round here can afford,the last thing we should be doing is anything that might put our small beach at risk as it is our only asset.
John Holmes wrote:
Mike wrote: I dont want to see yet another marina let alone a load of flats Weymouth is going down the pan fast enough without speeding things up.
I don't see the logic in this statement? Since when has a marina being built brought ruin to a town/city? I always thought it was quite the opposite?
We have enough marinas we need to improve other things like a water park to encourage visitors to come,& the last thing we need is a load of flats that nobody round here can afford,the last thing we should be doing is anything that might put our small beach at risk as it is our only asset.
Posted by: John Holmes, Weymouth on 8:44am Sat 3 May 08
[quote][bold]anneofportland[/bold] wrote:
id much rather listen to local experts like Mr Poole than all the remote consultants who get paid to look at computer models and make guesses. Mr Pool is a local man who knows the situation.[/quote] Really? 'A local expert' - in what?
This is the man whose actions brought Weymouth town centre to its knees in the late 1980's and most of the 1990's? All over a stupid piece of ironwork that has now ended up in Poundbury!
Anyway - what about the thousands who use the beach every day as a waste bin and a toilet?
anneofportland wrote:
id much rather listen to local experts like Mr Poole than all the remote consultants who get paid to look at computer models and make guesses. Mr Pool is a local man who knows the situation.
Really? 'A local expert' - in what?
This is the man whose actions brought Weymouth town centre to its knees in the late 1980's and most of the 1990's? All over a stupid piece of ironwork that has now ended up in Poundbury!
Anyway - what about the thousands who use the beach every day as a waste bin and a toilet?
Posted by: John Holmes, Weymouth on 8:56am Sat 3 May 08
[quote][bold]Mike[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]John Holmes[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Mike[/bold] wrote: I dont want to see yet another marina let alone a load of flats Weymouth is going down the pan fast enough without speeding things up.[/quote] I don't see the logic in this statement? Since when has a marina being built brought ruin to a town/city? I always thought it was quite the opposite? [/quote] We have enough marinas we need to improve other things like a water park to encourage visitors to come,& the last thing we need is a load of flats that nobody round here can afford,the last thing we should be doing is anything that might put our small beach at risk as it is our only asset.[/quote] A waterpark - yes, but surely not on this site? Lodmoor maybe? I was also under the impression that affordable housing was included in the plan? I think you will find that there are people in Weymouth who could afford a flat - I personally know of one.
Mike wrote:
John Holmes wrote: Mike wrote: I dont want to see yet another marina let alone a load of flats Weymouth is going down the pan fast enough without speeding things up.
I don't see the logic in this statement? Since when has a marina being built brought ruin to a town/city? I always thought it was quite the opposite?
We have enough marinas we need to improve other things like a water park to encourage visitors to come,& the last thing we need is a load of flats that nobody round here can afford,the last thing we should be doing is anything that might put our small beach at risk as it is our only asset.
A waterpark - yes, but surely not on this site? Lodmoor maybe? I was also under the impression that affordable housing was included in the plan? I think you will find that there are people in Weymouth who could afford a flat - I personally know of one.
Posted by: Mike, Portland on 4:25pm Sat 3 May 08
[quote][bold]John Holmes[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Mike[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]John Holmes[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Mike[/bold] wrote: I dont want to see yet another marina let alone a load of flats Weymouth is going down the pan fast enough without speeding things up.[/quote] I don't see the logic in this statement? Since when has a marina being built brought ruin to a town/city? I always thought it was quite the opposite? [/quote] We have enough marinas we need to improve other things like a water park to encourage visitors to come,& the last thing we need is a load of flats that nobody round here can afford,the last thing we should be doing is anything that might put our small beach at risk as it is our only asset.[/quote] A waterpark - yes, but surely not on this site? Lodmoor maybe? I was also under the impression that affordable housing was included in the plan? I think you will find that there are people in Weymouth who could afford a flat - I personally know of one.[/quote] If you think you will be able to afford one of those flats then their is loads of property in your budget why do you think they want the marina (for the residents that area is far to good for flats & as for the marina why spoil the beach for the sake of weekend sailors.LEAVE OUR BEACH ALONE
John Holmes wrote:
Mike wrote: John Holmes wrote: Mike wrote: I dont want to see yet another marina let alone a load of flats Weymouth is going down the pan fast enough without speeding things up.
I don't see the logic in this statement? Since when has a marina being built brought ruin to a town/city? I always thought it was quite the opposite?
We have enough marinas we need to improve other things like a water park to encourage visitors to come,& the last thing we need is a load of flats that nobody round here can afford,the last thing we should be doing is anything that might put our small beach at risk as it is our only asset.
A waterpark - yes, but surely not on this site? Lodmoor maybe? I was also under the impression that affordable housing was included in the plan? I think you will find that there are people in Weymouth who could afford a flat - I personally know of one.
If you think you will be able to afford one of those flats then their is loads of property in your budget why do you think they want the marina (for the residents that area is far to good for flats & as for the marina why spoil the beach for the sake of weekend sailors.LEAVE OUR BEACH ALONE
Posted by: Sea Dowg, Old Harbour on 4:08am Sun 4 May 08
Lovely how "some people" ar eso narrow minded in their thoughts that sailing is for rich people, For crying out loud, grow up, get out and get your facts right.
The sailing community generally loves the sea and the environment that's one of the reasons we go to sea.
Just look at our approach on this website
http://www.thegreenb
lue.org.uk/
If you want to see where garbage comes from, walk down any of the streets in town or even the beach and observe the careless "cannot be bothered" so called "cool" people just throwing "stuff" on the streets.
You could also look over the harbourside near the Fire Station where floating garbage collects. Hardly any of this garbage is from boats. It's from the lazy "townies" !
New parents, now is your chance to correct thr wrong teaching of yester years lazy parents - teach your kids to look after the environment - it's where "we" live!
Lovely how "some people" ar eso narrow minded in their thoughts that sailing is for rich people, For crying out loud, grow up, get out and get your facts right.
The sailing community generally loves the sea and the environment that's one of the reasons we go to sea.
Just look at our approach on this website
http://www.thegreenb
lue.org.uk/
If you want to see where garbage comes from, walk down any of the streets in town or even the beach and observe the careless "cannot be bothered" so called "cool" people just throwing "stuff" on the streets.
You could also look over the harbourside near the Fire Station where floating garbage collects. Hardly any of this garbage is from boats. It's from the lazy "townies" !
New parents, now is your chance to correct thr wrong teaching of yester years lazy parents - teach your kids to look after the environment - it's where "we" live!
Posted by: Sea Dowg, Old Harbour on 4:19am Sun 4 May 08
and another thing....
Why is the seaweed not collected up, rotted down and spread over as God's gift of free fertilizer?
Any "wise" people know the answer???
and another thing....
Why is the seaweed not collected up, rotted down and spread over as God's gift of free fertilizer?
Any "wise" people know the answer???
Posted by: Sea Dowg, Old Harbour on 6:54am Sun 4 May 08
and another thing....
Why is the seaweed not collected up, rotted down and spread over as God's gift of free fertilizer?
Any "wise" people know the answer???
and another thing....
Why is the seaweed not collected up, rotted down and spread over as God's gift of free fertilizer?
Any "wise" people know the answer???
Posted by: Tim Weymouth Boy, Weymouth on 10:38am Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Mike[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]John Holmes[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Mike[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]John Holmes[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Mike[/bold] wrote: I dont want to see yet another marina let alone a load of flats Weymouth is going down the pan fast enough without speeding things up.[/quote] I don't see the logic in this statement? Since when has a marina being built brought ruin to a town/city? I always thought it was quite the opposite? [/quote] We have enough marinas we need to improve other things like a water park to encourage visitors to come,& the last thing we need is a load of flats that nobody round here can afford,the last thing we should be doing is anything that might put our small beach at risk as it is our only asset.[/quote] A waterpark - yes, but surely not on this site? Lodmoor maybe? I was also under the impression that affordable housing was included in the plan? I think you will find that there are people in Weymouth who could afford a flat - I personally know of one.[/quote] If you think you will be able to afford one of those flats then their is loads of property in your budget why do you think they want the marina (for the residents that area is far to good for flats & as for the marina why spoil the beach for the sake of weekend sailors.LEAVE OUR BEACH ALONE[/quote] why don't you shut up!
Mike wrote:
John Holmes wrote:
Mike wrote: John Holmes wrote: Mike wrote: I dont want to see yet another marina let alone a load of flats Weymouth is going down the pan fast enough without speeding things up.
I don't see the logic in this statement? Since when has a marina being built brought ruin to a town/city? I always thought it was quite the opposite?
We have enough marinas we need to improve other things like a water park to encourage visitors to come,& the last thing we need is a load of flats that nobody round here can afford,the last thing we should be doing is anything that might put our small beach at risk as it is our only asset.
A waterpark - yes, but surely not on this site? Lodmoor maybe? I was also under the impression that affordable housing was included in the plan? I think you will find that there are people in Weymouth who could afford a flat - I personally know of one.
If you think you will be able to afford one of those flats then their is loads of property in your budget why do you think they want the marina (for the residents that area is far to good for flats & as for the marina why spoil the beach for the sake of weekend sailors.LEAVE OUR BEACH ALONE
why don't you shut up!
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