Bad News for Horsea

[TerryH]

Well looks like the new stadium has put paid to our local inland site.
At least for now.

Just in ............


Unfortunately we are sending this email to advise that we may have
lost our battle to remain open.

We have fought long and hard to stay open as we know how much the
loss of Horsea Island will affect everybody – including ourselves.

Even though we have had terrific support in the manner of
emails/letters/petitions we are being forced to close, meaning the loss
of the inland dive site to everybody and redundancies for us, the staff.

We are trying for an extension but unfortunately the closure may be
as soon as 28th June. Although this date may not be set in stone, we
feel it is only fair to warn you as we know how much it will affect your
dives and courses.

We will keep you informed and as soon as we are told, we will tell you.

Thank you for your continued support,
Horsea Island Dive Centre

[hogen-deifar]

That's pants. I qualified there and although it's not "the best" in the world it was different to Vobster and Stoney etc. I loved diving there.

Hope they manage to turn things around.

[Bantam]

That will also probably scupper being able to dive the SETT too

[Lou]

What is the story behind this?

[Gareth Burrows]

bollox. I am was planning on taking some open water students there at the beginning of July, now I'll have to have a rethink!

[Steve Summers]

Passed my practical instructor exam there, a real shame if it closes.

Safe diving,
Steve

[Ding Dang Doo]

I passed my OW there too,

Bummer...

So are the 'developers' going to dig another hole 1km and then fill it with sea water?

So is this something to do with Pompey FC? Are they putting the new footie stadium there (sorry, not living in the area anymore, so don't know...ref OP)

Pete

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by Lou

What is the story behind this?

Stadium is obvious, but look at the north side. That strip is
the new proposed bulidings.

New Stadium to be built at the Eastern end, which in itself doesnt seem
to bad as that would be direct access from the motorway, but they are
also building condos and the navy diving is meant to remain.

Logic says any building will be on the north side, so they can take
advantage of that big lump of land, but cant see the navy being happy
being overlooked while training.

So bad news would be the Stadium get's built and Horsea becomes a water
feature for expensive flats and the navy leg it.

Good news would be that the navy stay and eventually Horsea gets the
OK for public diving on weekends again.

TBH though that's prime land in a sought after location, so the powers
that be will be seeing £££'s.

[Steven]

I've never been but its bad news that any dive site get shut.

steven

[Janos]

I thought that the MOD didn't own the land, but it was leased from the Crown Estate (not the Crown Estate, but Prince Charles' bit).

Are you sure about this?

Janos