Tourism at Grafham Water receives a boost
Tourism at Grafham Water received a boost this week as three new purpose built lodges opened to provide much needed accommodation for fishermen, sailors and visitors to the area.
The lodges are set in serene countryside just five minutes walk from the eastern edge of the reservoir and provide ensuite rooms, shared facilities with washing machine, freezer and sink.
Plans for the lodges were brought forward by Stephen and David Ellerbeck in a bid to replace derelict buildings at Highfield Farm, near Perry, and in response to years of complaint by local water based sports associations over the lack of accommodation for travelling competitors.
Grafham Water is well known for offering the finest inland sailing in the UK but it is also reputed to offer the best inland still water trout fishing in Europe and attracts thousands of fishermen to competitions throughout the year. People regularly travel from Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands to fish here.
Mr Ellerbeck, whose family has owned the farm since the early 50's, said:
"We wanted to breathe life into an unused part of the farm, replace some unsightly buildings and provide a much needed amenity for the local area. Grafham Water sport and tourism is an essential part of our local economy and everyone benefits from it.
"Planners at Huntingdonshire District Council were initially cautious but with the help of local supporters and our local district councillor, Richard Bailey, we were able to make our case and provide the evidence to prove how much the lodges were needed.
"The resulting wood lodges are perfect for the job. They fit well into the surrounding scenery, have all the facilities people need and make an important start to accommodating the huge number of people who want to come to Grafham."
Countryside Communications Director Richard Bailey, said:
"It is a rather sad and shameful fact that local councils often fail to understand the efforts of farmers and landowners to diversify and provide crucial support to their local rural economies. I was delighted to help the Fisher German team break the deadlock with the local planning authority and get our message across. I combine my experience of local councils and my knowledge of the rural economy to translate the needs of the landowner into language that the planners understand. Farmers and landowners have a lot to offer the rural economy within their own land management plans but often need help communicating this to those who influence and control the local decisions. I applaud the Ellerbecks for taking their opportunity to provide the right facilities around such a fabulous tourist and sporting attraction on their doorstep otherwise Grafham would lose its appeal, people would stop coming and the local rural economy would suffer."
