1 Tourist Sector Employment – Evidence from Other Wind Parks Introduction 1. The Examining Authority and various participants have raised issues about the quantitative impact of wind parks on tourism, and in particular on employment. This note sets out further detail on the evidence from other wind parks that were included in the Socio-Economic and Tourism assessment (Volume D, Chapter 3 of the Environmental Statement (ES) (Document 6.1)). It provides further detail on the nature of the tourism industry in those area and the changes in employment (used as a measure of the overall health of the sector) in the sector that have occurred over the period 1998 to 2013. 2. This information has been provided in response to requests made by the local authorities and reflects the fact that any significant change in tourist numbers would be reflected in lower turnover for businesses and lower employment as a result. Defining Tourism 3. There are a number of different, recognised ways to represent the tourist sector – by its very nature is varied in terms of direct and indirect jobs, or spatial differences. For the purposes of the Applicant’s Socio-economics and Tourism assessment (as detailed in Volume D, Chapter 3 of the ES) an Office of National Statistics (ONS) definition of the tourist sector has been used based on the UK Standard Industrial Classification. 4. The starting point for the definition of tourism was the ONS report “Measuring Tourism Locally Guidance Note 1: Definitions of Tourism (version 2), 2012” which identifies 5-digit SIC codes. This was refined due to a number of reasons: Some categories/SIC codes have changed significantly over time, so the final list reflects those SIC codes for which there was robust time series data available. This has not omitted any codes considered to be significantly tourist related, i.e. this is not expected to have resulted in any significant undercounting. Some SIC codes (e.g. road and rail passenger transport) were considered to have too many non- direct tourism related jobs. 5. The final list uses, in 2007 SIC codes, is as follows: Accommodation: o 5510 : Hotels and similar accommodation o 5520 : Holiday and other short stay accommodation o 5530 : Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks o 5590 : Other accommodation Food & Drink: o 5610 : Restaurants and mobile food service activities o 5629 : Other food service activities o 5621 : Event catering activities o 5630 : Beverage serving activities Rental and Travel Agency: o 7711 : Renting and leasing of cars and light motor vehicles o 7911 : Travel agency activities o 7912 : Tour operator activities o 7990 : Other reservation service and related activities
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Tourist Sector Employment – Evidence from Other Wind Parks
Introduction
1. The Examining Authority and various participants have raised issues about the quantitative impact of
wind parks on tourism, and in particular on employment. This note sets out further detail on the
evidence from other wind parks that were included in the Socio-Economic and Tourism assessment
(Volume D, Chapter 3 of the Environmental Statement (ES) (Document 6.1)). It provides further detail
on the nature of the tourism industry in those area and the changes in employment (used as a
measure of the overall health of the sector) in the sector that have occurred over the period 1998 to
2013.
2. This information has been provided in response to requests made by the local authorities and reflects
the fact that any significant change in tourist numbers would be reflected in lower turnover for
businesses and lower employment as a result.
Defining Tourism
3. There are a number of different, recognised ways to represent the tourist sector – by its very nature is
varied in terms of direct and indirect jobs, or spatial differences. For the purposes of the Applicant’s
Socio-economics and Tourism assessment (as detailed in Volume D, Chapter 3 of the ES) an Office of
National Statistics (ONS) definition of the tourist sector has been used based on the UK Standard
Industrial Classification.
4. The starting point for the definition of tourism was the ONS report “Measuring Tourism Locally
Guidance Note 1: Definitions of Tourism (version 2), 2012” which identifies 5-digit SIC codes. This was
refined due to a number of reasons:
Some categories/SIC codes have changed significantly over time, so the final list reflects those SIC
codes for which there was robust time series data available. This has not omitted any codes
considered to be significantly tourist related, i.e. this is not expected to have resulted in any
significant undercounting.
Some SIC codes (e.g. road and rail passenger transport) were considered to have too many non- direct
tourism related jobs.
5. The final list uses, in 2007 SIC codes, is as follows:
Accommodation:
o 5510 : Hotels and similar accommodation
o 5520 : Holiday and other short stay accommodation
o 5530 : Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks
o 5590 : Other accommodation
Food & Drink:
o 5610 : Restaurants and mobile food service activities
o 5629 : Other food service activities
o 5621 : Event catering activities
o 5630 : Beverage serving activities
Rental and Travel Agency:
o 7711 : Renting and leasing of cars and light motor vehicles
o 7911 : Travel agency activities
o 7912 : Tour operator activities
o 7990 : Other reservation service and related activities
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Arts and Culture:
o 9001 : Performing arts
o 9002 : Support activities to performing arts
o 9003 : Artistic creation
o 9004 : Operation of arts facilities
o 9102 : Museum activities
o 9103 : Operation of historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions
o 9104 : Botanical and zoological gardens and nature reserve activities
Recreation, Sports and Leisure:
o 9200 : Gambling and betting activities
o 9311 : Operation of sports facilities
o 9321 : Activities of amusement parks and theme parks
o 9329 : Other amusement and recreation activities
o 7721 : Renting and leasing of recreational and sports goods
Review of Evidence from Elsewhere
6. As part of the Socio-economics and Tourism assessment (as detailed in Volume D, Chapter 3 of the
ES), a review of experiences of wind farms elsewhere was undertaken.
7. This approach has the advantage of being based on ex-post facto studies of what has actually
happened in these cases, rather than forecasts or predictions of what could happen. These, therefore,
carry greater weight in the assessment for the purposes of National Policy Statement EN-1, as they
are inherently more reliable as evidence of what impacts are likely in practice. The locations studied
are outlined in the following map, alongside the location of existing wind farms, and heritage coast,
AONB and National Park designations.
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Figure 1: Study Area Locations
8. The tourist sector represents between around 9% and 30% of all jobs in these locations, comparable
to Bournemouth where the tourist sector represents around 14% of all jobs. In each case the
assessment of employment has been undertaken on a sub-local authority scale where appropriate to
reflect the potential for sight of the wind farm to affect business. For reference, Annex 1 to this
appendix shows the detailed spatial study areas for these areas also shown on Figure 1.
9. The following charts (Figures 2 to 10) identify the change in absolute tourist jobs, as defined above, in
each of the study areas between 1998 and 2013, capturing the effect of the construction and
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operational phase of each. The start of the operational phase is shown by a vertical dotted line.
Annex 2 to this appendix includes tables of these data, alongside graphs to show the proportion of all
jobs that the tourist sector represents (to correct for the effects of the recession, where appropriate,
this is best represented as the proportion of all jobs in an area; in this case the same nominal change
13. Table 1 indicates that there has not been a significant change in jobs, which if supported directly by
visitor expenditure, would suggest that there is no evidence that the wind farms have displaced
visitors, and therefore affected jobs in the tourist industry.
Qualitative Factors
14. Whilst it is recognised that each area has a different and potentially unique tourist sector, there are
examples in policy which confirm that the comparable locations also rate coastal views and seascape,
and visual beauty is a key ‘unique selling point’ (USP) for the tourist draw:
Table 2: Summary of Policy, Guidance and Strategy referring to Visual Amenity as a Tourist Draw in
Locations with Offshore Windfarms (bold added by Applicant for emphasis)
Location Policy / Guidance / Strategy
Reference
Robin Rigg Solway Firth
Allerdale Local Development Framework (LDF), DRAFT Core Strategy, (2012)
Policy EC6 Tourism and Leisure (page 143): “as well as being the area’s most valuable tourism asset, the unspoilt countryside and coastlines are also the area’s most sensitive resource.”
Dumfries and Galloway Local Development Plan (LDP) (2014)
Paragraph 4.49 (page 59): “Areas of wild land character in some of Scotland’s remoter upland, mountain and coastal areas are very sensitive to any form of development or intrusive human activity.”
Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan 2010 – 2015
Paragraph 1.1.6 (page 4): “The Solway Coast contains many locally, nationally and internationally important features, some centring on landscape and others on wildlife and heritage. Many features are protected by designations and collectively they indicate the high value of the area and underpin the need to protect and enhance it for future generations”
Barrow Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow Borough Local Plan Issues and Options (Consultation Draft) (2014)
Paragraph 4.2.1 (page 50): “The Borough’s coastline is popular with local people and tourists, and benefits from outstanding scenic views…”
Burbo Bank Sefton / North Wirral
Sefton Borough Council Economic Strategy 2012‐2022
Section 5.10, paragraph 5.10.1 (page 20): “Key Opportunities – Sefton’s Natural Coast” – “The “natural coast”… is the setting for Gormley’s world famous “Another Place” installation. A wooded sand dune system and special habitat of international importance, it attracts visitors from Europe and the rest of the world.”
Sefton Local Plan (Draft) (2013)
Paragraph 2.22 (page 9) “Sefton’s 22 miles of coast is an important part of the Borough’s outstanding natural
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environment which helps to make Sefton distinctive and is valued by residents, businesses and visitors alike. The Coast helps define Sefton and is an important part of its identity. It stretches the length of the borough and contains a number of internationally important nature reserves and the most extensive dunes in England. There is a real sense of local pride and interest in this natural heritage which also attracts many visitors to the area. Most of our coast has been designated a Special Area of Conservation under the European Union Habitats Directive, a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive and a Ramsar Site under the Ramsar Convention. The Borough is home to three national and four local nature reserves, and four Sites of Special Scientific Interest.”
Rhyl Flats Conwy / Denbighshire
Conwy LDP 2007-2022, (2013)
Spatial Strategy SO12 states that the Council will seek to: “Safeguard and enhance the character and appearance of the undeveloped coast…” Paragraph 4.6.2.5: “The open coastline is important to amenity, wildlife and recreation. The Great Orme is designated as Heritage Coast because its limestone cliffs and grassland are recognised as being among the nation’s finest coastal scenery…”
Kentish Flats
Herne Bay / Whitstable
Canterbury District Local Plan (Draft) (2014)
Policy LB2 - Areas of High Landscape Value,paragraph 10.14: “The Undeveloped Coast” - “Canterbury District contains attractive areas of undeveloped coast at Seasalter, Swalecliffe, Bishopstone and Reculver. The scenic importance of much of this coastline and the adjoining countryside is of countywide significance and parts have great scientific interest and recreational value.”
Scoby Sands
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth Tourist Strategy (2013-2018)
Section 8.5, paragraph 8.5.1 “Strengths” – first bullet point: “The natural resource features of Great Yarmouth including coastline, beaches, countryside and the Norfolk Broads”
Great Yarmouth Economic Strategy 2011-2016
Page 10 Great Yarmouth Economy “Strengths”, second bullet point: “attractive biodiversity, landscape and coastline”
Lynn / Inner Dowsing
East Lindsey East Lindsey Core Strategy (Draft)
Chapter 10 – Coastal East Lindsey, page 62: “The coast provides all year round tourism. Skegness and Mablethorpe continue to offer safe, traditional family holidays but the offer has grown to incorporate the wild, beautiful and natural landscape of the District’s coast.”
London Array - Margate and Broadstairs
Thanet
Thanet District Council Cultural Strategy (2008)
Page 8: “The District of Thanet is a unique and vibrant coastal area, with 26 miles of nationally and internationally recognised coastline, with seven Blue Flag award winning beaches and bays, more than any other area in the country.” Page 12: “The area is home to the longest continuous stretch of coastal chalk in Britain, which attracts internationally significant numbers of birds, such as turnstones and golden plovers. In addition, the beaches and bays are a major attraction to visitors and, between them; they hold seven Blue Flag awards.”
Thanet Local Plan Issues and Options (Consultation Document) (2013)
Page 14: “The district of Thanet is a unique and vibrant coastal area, with an attractive environment and a number of unique features. There are 32 kilometres of coastline with attractive chalk cliffs and beautiful sandy beaches and bays, many of which
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have been awarded European Blue Flag status.”
London Array - Clacton-on-Sea
Tendring Tendring Draft Local Plan (2012)
“Future Challenges” page19: [the area has] “a wealth of attractive natural and historic landscapes including areas of importance to nature conservation, particularly around its coast and Estuaries”
Structure of Tourism Employment
15. By looking at the sub-sectors (5-digit SIC codes) within the tourist sector as defined above, it should
be possible to highlight the differences and similarities between the offer of Bournemouth and other
locations with wind farms. Figure 11 groups the 5-digit SIC codes into sub-sector groups.
Figure 11: Breakdown of Employment in Tourist Sub-Sectors in Bournemouth and Comparable Locations
with Offshore Wind Farms
16. Bournemouth’s tourist economy is dominated by ‘Accommodation’ and ‘Food & Drink’ sectors at 82%
of all jobs. This is consistent across all comparable locations, ranging from 76% to 86%. Therefore, the
sectoral breakdown within Bournemouth is not dissimilar to other locations.
Small Scale Effects
17. There is a concern that local effects are not sufficiently identified in the Socio-economics and Tourism
assessment (Volume D, Chapter 3 of the ES). While it is recognised that there is a concentration of
tourist-sector jobs at the seafront, the sector is much broader than this, with a significant
representation throughout the Districts as identified using UK Business Count (2013) data at MSOA-
level for the tourist sub-sectors as outlined above (Figure 12).
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Figure 12: Tourist-sector jobs at the seafront
18. This demonstrates that the industry is spatially diverse and is not entirely dependent on the seafront.
Conclusions
19. This information details the evidence of structure and impact on the tourism industry around existing
wind parks. It demonstrates that there is no evidence of any impact on tourism employment, either
in absolute terms or compared to the economy as a whole.
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Annex 1: Detailed spatial study areas
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14
15
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Annex 2: Change in tourist jobs in each of the study area between 1998 and 2013
Robin Rigg Rhyl Flats Lynn / Inner Dowsing
Employees Total employees Tourism % Employees Total employees Tourism % Employees Total employees Tourism %