Warships to be sunk as Sussex attraction

11:11pm Tuesday 7th August 2007

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Navy warships could be sunk off the Sussex coast to create giant artificial reefs for divers.

Businessman Anthony Fowler has unveiled plans to sink retired Royal Navy vessels in Seaford Bay to develop an underwater tourist attraction.

He has handed a 60-page dossier on his scheme to Seaford Town Council to ask them to evaluate the merits and possible funding of the proposals, which are similar to those already in place off the Devon coast.

After six years of preparatory work HMS Scylla, a 2,500-tonne ex-Royal Navy frigate, was scuttled near Plymouth Hoe to create the first artificial reef in Europe.

The reef cost about £1 million to develop but recoups £1 million a year in tourism revenue.

Mr Fowler has been in contact with the project director from Plymouth and hopes to bring him to Seaford next month to give a presentation on the existing scheme.

Seaford town clerk Leonard Fisher has completed a report on the proposals for councillors to consider which reveals there is no council money available to assist the project.

The report, which will be considered at a meeting on Thursday, continues: "This proposal has huge implications for the town. Key groups such as the Environment Agency, the Newhaven Community Development Association, SEEDA, Lewes District Council and East Sussex County Council would all have views on this proposal, as would the residents of Seaford."

Padraig Hurlihy(CORR), the South East co-ordinator for the 2012 Games for SEEDA and Sport England, said: "We have not had the chance to look at the proposals in detail.

"But sporting facilities are very good economic multipliers and generators so we certainly encourage people to invest in sports facilities.

"This particular proposal is like one they have just done in Plymouth and I would think with an innovative idea like this that maybe we should wait and see how it goes there before we start sinking ships across the country.

"It is a fantastic idea and if it works we could propose it in a number of cases.

"We would also want to take advice on its affect on the eco-system from the Environment Agency and its impact on the marine ecology.

"Artificial reefs constructed in the Mediterranean have been successful in bringing marine life back but if you were to sink 30,000 tonnes of steel somewhere where there is already a thriving eco-system it could have a negative effect."

A spokeswoman for Lewes District Council said: "We would consider any planning application made in connection with the proposal and consult with any other organisations and local residents as required within the statutory consultation period."