Renewed Bid For Houseboat Mooring Likely To Be Rejected

Refusal recommended as it would 'cause harm to Conservation area' at Strand on the Green

The latest Planning Application for two residential houseboat moorings at Strand on the Green, has been recommended for refusal by Hounslow Council's Planning officers.

There were 95 objections to the renewed bid , most of them from members of The Strand on the Green Association (SoGA). The application was to create moorings for two houseboats at Steam Packet Steps, opposite Cafe Rouge at Strand on the Green.

The application is listed on the Council's Pending List as likely to be refused on the grounds of;

"Inappropriate development in Metropolitan Open Land, and ....would cause harm to the character and appearance of the Conservation area and neighbouring listed buildings. "

The revised planning application was lodged with Hounslow Council, following the withdrawal some months ago of the original proposal. SoGA had objected to the first application on a number of grounds, including visual impact on a conservation area, the potential for navigational hazards, damage to ecology, and noise, pollution and rubbish. They also said it would have led to 'houseboat creep' in the area.

A local sailing club had also objected on the grounds that it would affect leisure activities.

The applicant had maintained that the proposal complied with Local Plan policy for residential moorings and had claimed that river frontage at Strand on the Green had been used for mooring boats and barges from the 18th century until the mid-20th century.

August 11, 2018