Riverside Houseboat Moorings Appeal Turned Down
Would be 'inappropriate development' in Conservation area at Strand on the Green
How the river view could look with the proposed scheme according to local residents
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The Planning Inspectorate has turned down an appeal by a developer against refusal for permission to moor houseboats at Steam Packet Steps, Strand on the Green.
Thames Floating Homes had appealed to the Secretary of State against Hounslow Council’s refusal of their revised planning application application for moorings for two houseboats.
The Planning Inspector found that the proposal would be "inappropriate development" on that site. The introduction of permanent built development would detract from the open vista along and across the river and would fail to preserve the character and appearance of the Strand on the Green Conservation Area.
"Whilst there is some river traffic and moored boats, this stretch of the river is particularly open and free from permanent encumbrances beyond the river wall. I consider that the proposed introduction of the two moorings and associated works and structures would intrude within and detract from that openness."
The Inspector added that it had also not been adequately demonstrated that there would not be an increase in the number of persons or property at risk of flooding in the area. You can read the full report here.
The Strand on the Green Association (SoGA), which had objected to the original and revised application on several grounds, including visual impact on a conservation area, the potential for navigational hazards, damage to ecology, and noise, pollution and rubbish, expressed its sosatisfaction with the outcome.
“SoGA is delighted to learn that the Appeal for a residential houseboat mooring at Steam Packet Steps Strand on the Green has been dismissed by The Planning Inspectorate and extends its thanks to all those SoGA members local residents and organisations that lent their support and registered objections to the development.
"Strand on the Green is an important Conservation Area and both its character and views up and down stream stay protected as a result of this dismissal.”
The revised planning application had been turned down by Hounslow Council as "an incongrous and unwelcome addition " to the area.
This is the current view at Strand on the Green towards Kew Bridge
The West London River Group, Kew Society and Grove Park Residents had opposed it, while the Residential Boat Owners Association supported it.
The applicant had maintained that the proposal complied with Local Plan policy for residential moorings and 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.
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August 4, 2019
