Information on fossil hunts is available here.

Please contact me if your group wants to arrange a fossil hunt.

THE FUTURE OF FOSSIL HUNTS

On 7th February, Chichester District Council will be seeking approval to designate a voluntary kite surfing zone within the foreshore fossil collecting area, see link at http://www.chichester.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=19695 and Agenda Item 9. This is the outcome of the recent beach management consultation. I am extremely concerned about paragraph 5.2, which reads “Fossil hunters feel they should have free and unfettered access at all times. We do not consider the implementation of a zone an onerous arrangement for them given the size and exposure of the fossil beds.”

The first sentence is emotive language which is not supported by the Consultation Analysis Report and creates an impression that fossil hunters are a demanding group of people who are unrealistic in their attitude. The fact is that the Bracklesham to Selsey foreshore is an extremely important international geological site and has been a popular venue for many groups and families for decades. As geologists have pointed out on numerous occasions during this consultation, the proposed kite surfing zone is right in the middle of the main collecting area. I believe that paragraph 5.2 is challengeable and can be supported by geological evidence and statements from geologists and fossil collectors. It presents an extremely biased picture on which CDC officers could be making a decision.

At a recent meeting with CDC, I found out that they really had no option than to designate a voluntary kite surfing area, that the majority public response was for it to remain at its current location, i.e. in the fossil collecting area, but that they could not stop other beach users from being in the area. To cut a long story short, it was agreed that a Code of Conduct was necessary, that CDC should be notified as far as possible of any visits so that they were aware of potential conflict situations, and that risk assessments should be submitted. It was agreed that my risk assessment could be used as a template for this purpose. Let me know if you want a copy.

Also, the Council have recently requested a visiting group to complete an event registration form (a lengthy document), provide a safety risk assessment and proof that they hold £5 million insurance. They will also have to pay the Council an administration fee of £26.70. Regarding the registration requirement, CDC agreed to review the public liability insurance requirement, whilst I insisted that the registration form and administration fee was counter-productive as groups would simply not bother. We will see what happens.