Representation by The Suffolk Coast DMO (The Suffolk Coast DMO)
- Date submitted
- 27 January 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Relevant Representations of The Suffolk Coast Destination Management Organisation (TSC). 1. TSC was formed in 2012, with the purpose of promoting the Suffolk coast (hereafter East Suffolk) as a visitor destination. TSC has a volunteer board, 1.9 staff (FTE) and a membership of 220 businesses. TSC does not cover a fixed and formal geographical catchment, but is broadly responsible for marketing the tourism assets of East Suffolk. TSC acknowledges the important part that renewable energy can provide in the nation’s energy mix. The value of tourism within East Suffolk is approximately £600M per annum. Within the nearby Suffolk Coasts and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, tourism is worth £210M per annum, supporting 4,655 jobs (2017 Volumes and Values study). TSC agrees with SPR’s statement that tourism “is an important part of the wider economy”. 2. In 2019 TSC commissioned an independent survey to measure the impacts on tourism of the two SPR projects (East Anglia North One and East Anglia Two) and the EDF Sizewell C project. The survey was carried out by leading consultants BVA-BDRC, and was informed by 1700 online respondents, 69 face-to-face respondents and 113 business. 3. The survey produced these key findings: • East Suffolk is first and foremost perceived as a place to relax and escape in a natural setting. 84% of respondents considering a visit cited nature-related activities as their main reason for visiting the area. • 29% of the regional market are less likely to visit during the construction phases of the projects. • 11% of those surveyed said they were “a lot less likely to visit”. • There is evidence that beyond the construction phase, some respondents were still significantly less likely to visit than before the work commenced. • The major areas of concern to the regional market are “loss of tranquillity, nature and unique charm” and “road and traffic problems”. • The majority of business respondents were in the accommodation sector. 72% of all businesses are either “fairly worried” or “very worried” about the developments. 75% of those already aware of the developments expect their turnover to decrease. • Although outnumbered by those less likely to visit, a small minority of respondents 3% suggested they would be a lot more likely to visit East Suffolk during this period. For more information on the full report please visit https://www.thesuffolkcoast.co.uk/tourism-research-and-reports 4. Because of the findings of the report, TSC is concerned that both the perception and reality of East Suffolk as a highly attractive visitor destination will be damaged by the onshore impacts of the Scottish Power projects (East Anglia One North and East Anglia Two) and the five other major energy projects which are planned for the area. 5. Part of the DMO’s concern relates to the impact upon the A12 which is the only major route to East Suffolk. The A12 is already heavily congested particularly in peak holiday periods. Further the A12 and the A1094 are the roads along which a substantial number (and probably the majority) of visitors travel. Overloading the road network will damage (i) both the perception and reality of East Suffolk a tranquil and attractive visitor destination and (ii) accessibility to East Suffolk. 6. TSC does not consider that the socio-economic effects of the Scottish Power projects, and the other five major energy projects currently planned, have been robustly and cumulatively assessed by Scottish Power, particularly given the independent report referred to above. Given the importance of the tourism economy to East Suffolk an Independent Report should be commissioned on the impact of these projects on the tourist economy. Such a report should also take into account that the Crown Estate is planning another round (Round 4) of offshore wind farm projects in East Anglia which will require yet more onshore infrastructure. 7. Given the likelihood of significant damage to the East Suffolk tourist economy and the absence of a robust and independent assessment of the potential damage, TSC has major concerns about the onshore infrastructure plans and therefore objects to the Scottish Power projects.