Madam,

I have concerns about Borth Community Council leasing the small triangular-shaped boatyard to the south of the RNLI station to private enterprise. It was gained by an act of anarchy by three locals in 1958 to preserve it as the last area left on the foreshore for wintering and repairing boats. Ten years later when a continuous wooden sea defence wall was being erected boat owners insisted gates and a slipway be included to facilitate sea access.

After these individual efforts the council was entrusted with the boatyard. So for 60 years it has been in continual use for the community at no cost. The council has already reduced the initial area of the boatyard to facilitate a public toilet and bus stop. Now they are seriously considering privatising what is left, which all things considered is an irresponsible breach of trust.

I do not object to a sailing school, but not under the conditions demanded by this lease proposal. It is ethically and morally wrong for the council to privatise this boat yard whilst stamping on tradition. The sailing school scheme, as it stands, is far too ambitious for the size of the site anyway. Perhaps the boat owners themselves had better take over this traditionally free community facility and police it whilst liaising with a member of Borth Community Council?

Perhaps an alternative site for the sailing school’s ambitious agenda would be at the end of the concrete promenade opposite the golf club. The latter has large areas where the sailing dinghies could shelter as there is plenty of room along the landward side of the sea wall.

As to the issue of the feasibility of a sailing school run from a storm beach, the council has already been alerted to the dubiety of that. There are also aspects of the proposal involving possible grants from the Welsh Government, which attest to the scale of this private scheme. Perhaps the sailing school should start out with four to six dinghies using the current free facilities at existing boat yard?

In the submission there is also mention of larger yachts using Aberystwyth facilities. On enquiry, Aberystwyth Council knows nothing of this. Aberystwyth would be a better location as there is a harbour to run into, tide permitting. However Aberaeron and Aberystwyth have had sailing schools in the past that have proven unviable. The loss by privatisation of this hard-fought traditional facility for Borth boat owners would be a travesty and should be resisted.

Yours etc, Dr T Davies, Borth.

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