Summary of a Survey carried out on the Isle of Wight September to November 2004

A total of 1,117 people were interviewed on a face to face basis at 9 locations around the Isle of Wight during September and October 2004, with very high consistency in the survey results. Whether the survey location was in east or west Wight, in urban or rural areas, there was seen to be strength of concern from the majority of respondents about issues around the proposed wind turbines at Wellow.

There was also good consistency between results from island residents and visitors, with, if anything, the latter being more extreme in their concerns. Questions were aimed at extracting opinion on wind farm effect on (1) tourism and (2) on local wild life. In addition respondents were asked to identify which they thought were the most suitable forms of renewable energy for the island. Results for effect of the Wellow wind farm on tourism were as follows:

• Overall, 56.8% of interviewees were able to give a definitive response, saying whether they thought that ‘MORE or FEWER’ tourists would come.
• Of those respondents 88.5% said that there would be a reduction in tourist numbers, with the average reduction predicted to be 15.3%.
• Tourist Board data from Wales and Scotland puts local tourist levels at risk by comparable levels, 13% and 25% respectively.

There are a number of conflicting statements in the public domain about the effects that wind farms have on local tourist economies. Many wind farms are currently sited in low density population areas which are also areas that receive a high number of visitors wanting to experience the pleasures of simply being in a relatively remote area, enjoying the beauty of the landscape and ‘getting away from it all’.

Public statements have been made by the pro wind farm lobby to the effect that wind farms have a positive effect on tourism, but supporting data has not been forthcoming, despite a direct request by the author for the BWEA* to do so. Results from the tourist boards of Wales and Scotland have identified a likely negative impact to tourist activity from wind farms, however (see “5 Discussion and Conclusions”, page 18, for more details).

The main purpose of this survey was to gain local views on the likely effect that a possible wind farm (‘West Wight Technology Park’) would have on Isle of Wight tourist activity. The Isle of Wight is renowned for offering a diversity of attractions, most notably its unspoilt landscape which appeals to both residents and visitors alike, helping to bring more than £400 million a year (25% of GDP) into the Island economy through tourism (Ref 1). 1,117 members of the public were interviewed during the course of this project. Additional information on more general views on wind farms and renewable energy options for the Isle of Wight was also collected.

The most remarkable outcome of this survey was the similarity of the results across the 9 island locations where the survey was conducted. Whether the survey location was carried out in east or west Wight, in an urban or rural area, there was seen to be strength of concern from the majority of respondents about issues around the proposed wind turbines at Wellow. There was also good consistency between results from island residents and visitors, with if anything the latter being more extreme in their views. In terms of effect on tourism, an overall 50.3% said that fewer tourists would come as a result of the development of the Wellow wind farm, while only 6.5% said that more tourists would come.

When the results for people (43.2%) who were unable to give a definitive view on possible effects on tourism are excluded from the analysis, then 88.5% said that fewer tourists would come. When that population was asked about the scale of this effect, the overall conclusion was that tourist numbers would drop by 15.3%. If this were to occur, it would cost the Isle of Wight economy in excess of £60 million per annum, an average of more than £1 million per week. Perhaps more significant however, is to consider the strain that this could place on all tourist related businesses, many of which would seriously struggle to survive a drop in turnover of 10% or 15%.

To assess how realistic this conclusion might be, findings from other tourist area surveys make interesting comparison. The Welsh Tourist Board Survey of 2003 showed that “if wind farms increased” then 11% of tourists would “steer clear of the area” and an additional 2% would be “less likely to come back”, indicating a total 13% of income at risk. A “Visit Scotland” report also of 2003 produced more extreme results. 15% said that they would “steer clear of the area” and an additional 10% would be “less likely to come back”, indicating a total of 25% at risk. This means that a prediction of 15.3% drop in tourists from the Isle of Wight appears in line with other