6th May 2016 by Bembridge Harbour Trust
Houseboat fears realised as new houseboats begin to arrive
Despite a statement from BHIC Director Malcolm Thorpe that the recent LDC application was for “use of land for the mooring of houseboats along the shoreline (adjacent to Embankment Road)”20/04/2016 and comments that the (legally critical) red line to low tide should not worry anyone, new boats have begun to arrive with the first being placed on Selwyn Pontoon last night.
Mr Thorpe has written “there are two [and possibly three] boats that will be appearing on Selwyn Pontoon during the next few weeks that will act partially as permanent residences and partially as holiday homes.” 03/05/2016.
This is all deeply worrying to the Trustees.
BHT have asked the Local Planning Authority to advise Mr Thorpe that any siting of houseboats is premature with the LDC pending and that Mr Thorpe should advise potential buyers. We believe the LDC is seriously flawed in terms of the evidence that has been used to support its contentions.
New boat owners could be left out of pocket and the harbour housing large boats, displacing commercial and recreational moorings and with nowhere to go.