Scuba diving lagoon gets go ahead
Planning permission has just been granted for the development of an inland scuba diving facility on the South Coast.
Hairspring Watercess has been given the go-ahead to construct the purpose designed lagoon on its farm in Hambrook as part of a farm diversification scheme.
The scheme has been welcomed and supported by dive centres and clubs along the south coast following the closure of nearby Horsea Island (12 miles) to civilian divers.
The plans are for a lagoon measuring over 90m by 90m at the surface and up to 14.5m at the deepest point. It will offer a safe and controlled environment for recreational diving and diver training.
The lagoon will be lined, filled with water from a nearby spring and will include a filtration system to provide a silt free environment ensuring optimum visibility.
It is planned to fill the lagoon with various underwater attractions to create an interesting experience for divers as well as provide features necessary for many aspects of scuba training.
Richard Scales of Hairspring Watercress said:
“This development will provide a much needed facility on the South Coast where divers can train and build their experience before venturing out into the nearby sea. It will also provide an alternative destination for those times when diving in the sea is cancelled due to bad weather.”
Gareth Hamilton Fletcher, previous operator/owner of Vobster Quay and design consultant for the scheme added:
“By having the lagoon lined, filled with spring water and continuously filtered, we will create a unique inland diving experience with unparalleled visibility.”
The scheme includes facilities for changing, catering, air fills as well as offering diver training and recreational diving including night dives all year round.
Hairspring Watercress is a small family run farm based in Hambrook (nr. Chichester in West Sussex) and has been growing Watercress for over a century in running water from springs on the site.
