Council to investigate plans for old barge
Havant Borough Council has been dealing with complaints about a large barge, moored on the Hayling shoreline at the Kench.
The controversy began last year, when the barge ‘Ellen’ was placed on one of the Hayling Health Society moorings in south west Hayling, replacing an old wooden house boat called ‘Viking’.
‘Ellen’ is believed to be a former Ministry of Defence steel ammunition barge, identified as number 345(A), and is about 70 ft long, whereas ‘Viking’ was about 40ft long.
Initially, the council’s Interim Development Services Manager, Steve Weaver, told the Hayling Islander: ‘I can confirm that Havant Borough Council is
currently undertaking a planning enforcement investigation in regards to the barge ‘Ellen’ moored at the Kench, following concerns brought forward by
some residents on Hayling Island.’
Complaints concerned the appearance of the barge and its large size compared with the house boat which previously used the mooring.
In its present form, ‘Ellen’ has no cabin or superstructure, but could potentially be converted into a house boat.
Later in January, Communications Officer James Pusey explained: ‘Havant Borough Council’s current position is that the investigation has now moved forward and we are now expecting planning applications to be submitted in the next couple of weeks.
‘These applications will seek to confirm the status of the site in planning terms, as well as clarifying whether planning permission is needed for the barge that has been moored there and any subsequent alterations proposed.
‘The applications will benefit from our normal publicity procedures, once they have been registered.’
The owner of the barge, whose name has not so far been made public, also consulted Langstone Harbour Master Captain Nigel Jardine before moving the barge onto the mooring.
Captain Jardine explained: ‘The owner did ask my advice – but the Harbour Board is only involved to the extent that our remit is safety and the actual number of house boats.’
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Weather for Hayling
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 15 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 13 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
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