REPORT OF Commercial and Leisure Services Manager To: Community and Resources Committee Subject: Review of Land Yacht/ Blo-kart Restriction on Westward Ho! Beach Date: 15 June 2017 Reference:

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To have Members consider amending the current land yacht restriction on Westward Ho! beach to allow the controlled and managed use of the sports-zone area of the beach for blo-karting.

1. INTRODUCTION

At present the Council does not permit the use of any kind of land yacht in the wind sports-zone at the Northern end of Westward Ho! beach unless a specific, licensed and managed, event is organised.

The Council has been approached on numerous occasions by land yacht and blo-kart users to see if the Council would permit their use. In previous years these requests have been rebuffed and members have considered the potential for conflict with other beach users to be too great.

Kite buggying and blo-karting seems to be becoming more popular and Westward Ho! beach is one of the best beaches in the country for their use.

Westward Ho! is experiencing something of a tourism renaissance and some of that success can be attributed to it’s popularity as a activity sports destination.

2. REPORT

Torridge District Council has been approached by the British Land Speedsail Association (BLSA) about the restriction on all land yachts at Westward Ho! beach. Currently there is a designated zone for wind sports 200m north of Sandymere bridge (See map as Appendix 1). surfers, kite buggies, kite boarders and speedsailors are permitted in this area providing they have 3rd party liability insurance and adhere to all regulations. Meanwhile all classes of land yacht are prohibited as a safety precaution. BLSA claim that blo-karts do not pose the same level of threat as other classes of land yacht and have requested that we review the current restriction.

For reference, Blo- karts are the smallest class of land yacht. Picture attached as Appendix 2.

Blo-kart is a form of land sailing using a compact, one design, three-wheel kart powered by a . The are of various sizes, their use depending on the wind conditions and the experience of the sailor. The sport is enjoyed all year round by all ages from 8 to 80 and is great fun for all the family. The kit can be packed into a tailored bag that will fit into the boot of most cars and weighs around 30Kg.

As a blo-kart is steered via ‘handlebars’ and controlled by a single rope called a ‘sheet’, the sport is accessible to people with various disabilities, including wheelchair users. The British Land Speedsail Association (BLSA) are the UK governing body for Blokarts and Speedsails www.theblsa.com think allowing blokart sailing on Westward Ho! beach would be a great asset for the Town and the sport, locals and visitors. In order that this request is properly considered, the Lead Ranger (who manages the beach) organised a stakeholder meeting to discuss the issues, concerns and potential management arrangements associated with blo-karting at Westward Ho!. Notes of meeting attached as Appendix 3.

Vaughan Lawson from the RNLI was also present as they provide a lifeguard service that oversees beach safety during the bathing season. Chris Moore from the British Land Speedsail Association (BLSA) presented the case for blo-karts to be permitted in the wind sports zone. This included the following points:

• Blo-karting is a sport that is enjoyed year round by people of all ages, it is also suitable for people with disabilities including wheelchair users. • Blo-karts have a uniform design and weigh 30kg. • Blo-karts are steered by handles making them more controllable than traditional land yachts, which are steered using peddles. • It is widely accepted that blo-karts are different to other classes of land yacht,and their use can be permitted on beaches without risk to public health and safety. • It is common for beaches in the UK to permit the use of blo-karts where larger land yachts are prohibited. • Blo-karts are slower, smaller and easier to control than kite buggies which are currently permitted in the wind sports zone. • While the sport is increasing in popularity, it is not expected that the wind sports zone will experience large numbers of blo-karts if the restriction is lifted. • The BLSA have a strict code of conduct, and provide all members with 3rd party liability insurance. • Members of the BLSA can be identified by a number on their sail and if they break the organisation’s code of conduct or local regulations, action can be taken against them, and they risk losing their membership. • Participation in outdoor pursuits like blo-karting is good for health and wellbeing. • The availability of outdoor pursuits like blo-karting attracts people to the area, and helps to support the local economy.

3. IMPLICATIONS

Legal Implications None

Financial Implications It is likely that by agreeing the use of blo-karts in the sports-zone of the beach gate revenue will be increased during the summer season as additional beach users will now be permitted.

Human Resources Implications Any trial period will be monitored by the Lead Ranger – within existing resources.

Sustainability Implications There is no predicted impact on the natural environment. By encouraging more activity in Westward Ho! it is likely that there will be a positive and sustainable impact on the local economy.

Equality/Diversity By agreeing to a change of policy in relation to blo-karts the Council would be providing a more inclusive service that would be available to new user groups. Risk Management The risks associated with blo-kart use on the beach can be mitigated by careful and appropriate management.

Compliance with Policies and Strategies The recommendations are in accordance with the Council’s Strategic Aims, the Northern Devon Economic Strategy, the Westward Ho! Regeneration Strategy and the Northam Burrows Country Park Management Plan.

Ward Member and Leader Member Views

Councillor Pennington - Lead Member for Leisure

I am in agreement with a 12 month trial of blo-karting in the wind sports-zone on Westward Ho! Beach as long as arrangements are monitored. After that period we can decide if this is an arrangement that should remain in place. I think it is important that as many user groups as possible should be able to enjoy the beach and with appropriate management that should be entirely possible.

3. CONCLUSIONS

All who were present at the stakeholder meeting agreed that the introduction of blo-karting would not have a negative impact on other users. The idea of also permitting mini land yachts, which are a similar sort of craft, was also discussed at the meeting but there was no one present to provide evidence on their suitability.

The RNLI suggested that it would be unwise to permit mini land yachts to use the beach until more was known about their suitability. Their representative suggested that permitting the use of this type of craft could be considered at a later date. All present provided statements of support for blo- karting to be permitted in the wind sports zone at Westward Ho!

The only group that have not been consulted are dog walkers who use the same area of the beach when dogs are restricted to the north of Sandymere bridge from May to September. This large group of individuals do not have a single representative who can speak for them collectively. It is not believed that they will be adversely affected by permitting blo-karts to use the wind sports zone.

However, their opinions should be acknowledged and it is therefore suggested that a 12 month trial should be used to consider any comments. At the end of this 12 month period it will be possible to assess whether blo-karts are suitable for Westward Ho! and a final decision can then be made.

Letters of support for permitting blo-karts on the Westward Ho! beach are attached as Appendix 4.

5. RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that:

1. Members agree to permit the use of blo-karts in the area identified as the wind sports-zone on Westward Ho! beach for a period of 12 months. 2. During this 12 month period appropriate signage and guidance is available, blo-kart use on the beach is monitored and that following this period a final report of activity with recommendations for future management is presented to Community and Resources Committee.

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Consultations: Head of Paid Service, Strategic Manager (Resources), Lead Ranger, Lead Member for Leisure, Westward Ho! Business Association, RNLI, British Land Speedsail Association, Westward Ho! Kite Surfing Contact Officer: Sean Kearney – Commercial and Leisure Services Manager Background Papers: