Exploring the Bournemouth Coast Path

Leaflet available outside the official exhibition

The final Navitus consultation on the proposed wind farm off Bournemouth is about to end.

A Navitus exhibition is touring the Bournemouth area and I called in on Friday to see the information boards at Wick Ferry – on the coast path’s winter route.

Useful information to take away is available and you can request a view of the future on one of the big screens. I looked out from the top of the cliff by Chewton Bunny, from the Bournemouth West Cliff and Durlston Castle.

There is no denying by anyone that the wind farm’s turbines would be seen from the coast path.

The view most affected appears to be from Durlston Castle which on a hot summer day at present has the feel of the south of France.

But at Bournemouth the turbines appear to be more of a cluster on the horizon between the pier and Old Harry.

It is claimed that the turbine field could have the capacity to generate enough power for 13 times the number of homes on the Isle of Wight or 9 times the number of homes in Bournemouth.

But the main issue is not just about how we make energy but the importance of the incredible view. The proposals are for different sizes of turbine. If the smaller version is chosen there will be have be a greater number.

In answer to a question at the exhibition I was told that Taddiford Gap, where the cables land, would not be affected by cable laying. However, the printed material does warn of “major-moderate impact to the character of the view and visual amenity during construction”. It does say that they are “reversible”.

There was a demonstration outside the exhibition by opponents.

The exhibition tour continues until Saturday 21 September when it is at Bournemouth’s BIC all day 10am-4pm.

The coast path approach down to Bournemouth Pier during the TUC

BBC political correspondent Chris Mason has been reporting on live television from the Bournemouth Coast Path since Saturday evening.

His hotel room also has a good view of the pier and on his way to do a 6am breakfast slot he was amazed to see someone having a swim.

Chris Mason is of course reporting from the TUC which is at the BIC until Wednesday.

It’s good to see the cliff view looking so impressive. It could tempt some to give the further coverage a miss and get out on a walk.

Much earlier Bournemouth venues for the congress were The Pavilion and, in 1926, the Town Hall.

The latest consultations wind farm exhibitions begin on Thursday 12 September.

Navitus is about to apply for a Development Consent Order to build an off-shore wind farm between the Isle of Wight and Swanage. It would be 8.9 miles from Durlston Head.

The big issue is how visible the 218 turbines will be from the coast path along Poole and Christchurch Bays.

The first exhibition is at Captain’s Club Hotel in Christchurch, opposite Wick Ferry, on Thursday 12 September; 2-8pm.

The final one is at the BIC in Bournemouth on Saturday 21 September; 10am-4pm.

The full list and latest plans are on the Navitus website.

One of the delights of the coast path near Barton-on-Sea is Becton Bunny where the stream can still be seen running down the valley into the sea.

A surprise project is being considered to return the stream to its natural flow. This involves removing artificially straightened sections upstream, especially in Barton’s Long  Meadow and at the side of residential Willow Walk.

The Environment Agency, which has published proposals, is holding a consultation from 10am to 5pm at the Scout Hut in Long Meadow on Saturday 24 August.

This year’s summer exhibition at Highcliffe Castle looks at Highcliffe as a holiday destination.

This covers quite a lot of fascinating castle history. It seems that Lord Bute who was first to live on the site had an early beach hut.

In 1912 Marie Curie had a secret holiday at Chewton Bunny.

The Cliffhanger cafe started in 1900 as a thatched tea house.

Wish you were here! Looking back on Highcliffe Holidays, which is well worth seeing for a new insight of Highcliffe Castle, continues until Sunday 8 September.

Lymington’s sea water swimming pool has seen hundreds of people visiting during the hot weather.

This follows a period of uncertainty first about the baths’ future and more recently about allowing a private operator to run the historic facility. Local businessman Hugo Ambrose has the contract for five years from the town council.

The open air bath is the former King’s Saltern named after bookseller Richard King who 200 years ago owned 22 pans.

It’s a good place to visit when you have completed the coast path from Swanage.

Avon Beach is in new ownership this summer for the first time in over 80 years.

The Guardian has a profile of Victor Derham who is finding life strange without the beach  responsibilities.

His beach bookshop was very good and always worth visiting. It will be interesting to see the changes.

The coast path, Christchurch Coastal Path, runs along the low cliff behind the shop.

Mudeford’s Sandspit is known for its expensive beach huts.

The Daily Mail has lots of interior shots as well as the coast path on a nice day.

Point House Cafe, the last house on the Poole Bay cliff, closed in 2010 amid much sadness.

Its replacement is residential Ocean Point where a show flat will be open at the end of this month.

The cafe was the last stop in Southbourne before Hengistbury Head.

If you saw emergency activity at Hengistbury Head on Saturday afternoon you may be interested in the details and happy outcome.