(A joint press release from Waveney District Council and British Naturism)
Waveney District Council is this week speaking to representatives of local coastal communities about the possibility of relocating the district’s naturist beach following the ‘de-designation’ of the Corton facility.
Significant beach erosion during the past 20 years has led to a reduction of some 80% of available beach space at Corton and following an extensive public consultation, the decision to “de-designate” was taken. However, this decision was made with two clear caveats: first, that the facility would remain open until the end of this summer season and second, that Waveney would undertake to explore potential alternative sites which are suitable for naturists but which are not currently affected by the erosion issues we have in Corton.
On this basis Waveney is therefore asking for views on the potential relocation of the naturist facility. Waveney District Council is NOT opposed to naturism and believes an alternative location should be sought if at all possible.
Cllr Ken Sale, Portfolio Holder for the Environment said: “The Council has been working with British Naturism to establish some important criteria for any new facility. These criteria incorporate the needs and wishes of both the naturist and local communities.
“At this stage, we are ‘fact-finding’ and should any potential site meet the criteria laid down for such a facility we will seek to explore the options further.”
Speaking on behalf of British Naturism, Allan Kidney said: “We welcome this positive approach by Waveney District Council and look forward to using suitable alternative site(s), with hopefully improved facilities, which do not suffer from the beach erosion issue.
"The byelaw prohibiting nudity in Waveney District has been revoked so there are no legal obstacles to a speedy solution to the problem.
“Many naturists prefer to use the agreed locations because they are more likely to meet other like minded people and they know that their day on the beach will be hassle-free. It is not widely known that nudity in public places is not in itself illegal and so misunderstandings do sometimes occur."
The council is asking for responses (which in no way constitute a commitment) prior to Friday September 4 2009. ***Stop Press*** Deadline now extended to 25 September.
ENDS.
Contacts:
British Naturism
Commercial Manager
Andrew Welch
01753 481527
07774 955138
commercial.manager@british-naturism.org.uk
Waveney District Council
Communications Team:
Phil Harris: 01502 523 637 phil.harris@waveney.gov.uk
Julie Fitzgerald: 01502 523 602 julie.fitzgerald@waveney.gov.uk
Fax: 01502 523 500
www.waveney.gov.uk
Notes to Editors
The criteria as agreed by Waveney District Council and British Naturism are as follows.
Essential
· Adequate parking provision and/or good public transport
· Access to beach, with consideration to the Disability Discrimination Act
· Approval from Land Owner
· Local Community Support, without overwhelming local objections
· Not unduly overlooked
· Beach has estimated life (based on current coastal erosion predictions) of more than 25 years
Desirable
· If foot paths are within 200 metres of beach, consideration be given to an alternative, and appropriately signed route
· Consideration for leisure amenities and opportunity to develop these over time
· Reasonable water quality
· Safe to bathe in sea and a beach that is considered safe.
· Child Friendly - beach with at least some sand
Additionally, factors for consideration are the removal of litter and discouragement of inappropriate behaviour.
· British Naturism (BN) is the UK’s officially recognised naturist organisation. It exists to support and unite naturists around the UK and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2004, although its predecessors have been in existence since the 1930s.
· Amongst the aims of BN are to campaign for more places to be made available for naturism and to protect naturists against discrimination and Victorian attitudes to the human body.
· Fact – simply being naked in a public place is not against the law. Various pieces of legislation and common law are often mentioned in connection with naturism but they are not relevant.
· In the UK, there are over 130 sun clubs, swim clubs and holiday resorts and 12 “officially designated” naturist beaches, with many others used regularly by naturists. Membership of BN is around 11,500 people with many more being members of clubs affiliated to BN. The calendar of naturist events – not all run by British Naturism – is packed for 2009. There are also thousands of UK naturists who enjoy holidays and beaches in the UK and abroad without being members of recognised naturist organisations.
· YBN (Young British Naturists) has a membership of young men and women between the ages of 16 and 30 who get together at clubs and beaches many weekends. They represented the UK at the International Naturist Federation (INF) Youth Rally held in Italy in 2009, following Holland in 2008 and hosted the Rally themselves in the UK in May 2007 – see our YBN pages for details.
· Naturism is good for you. Naturists report improvements in well-being, stress, chronic illness, self-esteem and body image. It’s also a sensible choice of dress when the weather is warm. Naturists are normal people. The only difference between activities inside and outside of naturism is the dress code. See FAQs about naturism.
· It is a fallacy to believe that naked children are any more at risk of abuse in a naturist environment. In addition, unaccompanied children are not permitted in naturist places and the community spirit that pervades ensures that a watchful eye is present. Despite the perception, there are far fewer problems in naturism than in more “public” places where children and adults mix. Mindful of the need to be aware of child safeguarding issues, however, BN have a robust child safeguarding policy , a code of practice, and have a Child Safeguarding sub-committee that meets regularly and runs workshops on the subject, sometimes to groups from outside the naturist world.
· For more information on British Naturism, please visit our website at
www.british-naturism.org.uk/. For the media, there is a dedicated “Media Centre” at
www.british-naturism.org.uk/mediacentre/, which contains useful information for those wishing to write about naturism or to feature this wonderful world in their publications or programmes, including a downloadable Media Information Pack. There is also a contact page, to ensure that any enquiries are directed to the right person and gain an appropriate and speedy reply.
