THE FUTURE of a multi-million pound surfing lake in Almondsbury and Easter Compton will be decided this week.

Councillors will vote on proposals at the South Gloucestershire Council planning meeting on Thursday, June 19.



It has been recommended for approval by planning officers.

The Wave: Bristol hope to create a £6.2 million in-land surfing experience on land at Over Court Farm in Almondsbury and Washingpool Farm in Easter Compton.

As well as the 300m by 100m freshwater lake, an adventure trail, swimming pool, camping area with 100 pitches, amphitheatre and education centre are planned for the 40-acre site.

Surfers of all abilities will be able to use the lake, which will be able to generate waves up to 1.6m high at a frequency of 120 an hour.

Consultation events ran in July and November last year, where opinion was split between keen supporters of the scheme and villagers concerned about associated traffic.

Hundreds of surfers around the country have supported the plans online, but many residents remain worried about the impact of the development on local life.

Easter Compton resident Gary Phipps said: “The road nowadays is extremely busy and going to get busier with Wild Place, developments at Pilning and Severnside plus the extensive new housing at Filton airfield.

“As well as being extremely busy there are issues with speeding and heavy lorries, all of which contribute to making village life unpleasant.”

David Haines, also of Easter Compton, said the application was inappropriate and disproportionate to the village.

“The main road into Easter Compton will become even more clogged with traffic.

“Easter Compton is a small village with few amenities,” he said.

At the second-stage November exhibition, The Wave founders said that they planned to alleviate congestion by ensuring the 120 parking spaces on site had to be pre-booked.

A shuttle service is also planned from Pilning train station – with additional services mooted for Cribbs Causeway shopping centre in the future.

Damian Phillips, of Olveston, backed the plans, saying: “I think any new sports facility is a good idea. Positioned near to already developed sites with good roads and infrastructure, this project deserves the council’s full support.”

Kieran Manning, who teaches paddlesports in Thornbury and participates in Thornbury Sea Cadet Corps, said: “With a lack of safe water in our local area for watersports, this would be an excellent place to encourage people into the sport.”

Brimsham Green School has also supported The Wave for offering their students an exciting new facility for physical education on their doorstep.

The meeting is taking place at Turnberrie's Community Centre in Thornbury at 2.30pm.