Cuckmere Estuary Follow-on Survey Public Evidence Meeting Presentation Alfriston Memorial Hall, 5 April 2011

Research background Among visitors/users – to establish whether landscape changes to the estuary would impact on future visits. Respondents were presented with three options to consider and asked to indicate the likelihood of them visiting the estuary for each of the proposed options. A control group was used to capture the views from a wider audience and avoid the risk inherent in the visitor/user group of a potential skewing of the results towards one or two dominant perceptions. Control group respondents were asked whether the current landscape of the Cuckmere Estuary would inspire them to visit the area and in what ways their propensity to visit may increase or decrease with potential changes.

Research method Visitor & user survey involved an online survey among a group of visitors and users who were personally interviewed in 2010 about their trip to the Cuckmere Estuary. This group agreed to be re-contacted for a follow-up survey. 300 visitors re-contacted - 24% response rate. Control group sample was drawn from the Regional Tourist Board’s consumer database. This is a database of enquirers who have expressed an interest in visiting the South East of England for holiday and leisure day visits. 17,000 addresses – 828 took part. To measure responses to changes – respondents were presented with 4 views – current, partially inundated, fully inundated and fully protected.

Current – View 1

Partially inundated – View 2

Fully inundated – View 3

Fully protected – View 4

Study findings: visitor & user group Frequency of visits

Study findings: control group Frequency of visits

Thank you Questions?