artist’s impression of the newly proposed site entrance at Weir Quay
***Latest Planning News – updated Aug 27th 2012
View the Hub Club’s response to West Devon Borough Council’s request for further information regarding the Tamar Estuaries Specially Protected Area (SPA) here.
Planning Ammendments
After what seems like an interminable pause while we reviewed all the options Weir Quay Community Watersports (the Hub Club) is amending its planning application for a new shore base in response to Environment Agency objections, and is requesting early determination of their plan by West Devon Borough Council
At a general meeting of the sailing and gig clubs following the Hub’s AGM on Monday 21st May members were given a full update on plans for the site. Discussion and questions covered every aspect of the project. An informal vote at the end of the meeting showed approval by a clear majority of the 60 or so members present.
As you all know we are trying to create a new secure joint base at Weir Quay for our two clubs, Weir Quay Sailing Club and Tamar and Tavy Gig Club. If you have not heard already, the clubs expect to lose almost all shore facilities in October. We reviewed the other options following the EA’s insistence that spoil should be removed from the site and dumped as waste, rather than being spread higher up the site as first proposed.
The proposed site is across the road from the slipway you know and love. It is the only public access to the Tamar in West Devon. However the site is two to three metres above road level. The options reviewed included four kinds of lift, an inclined plane, and ramps at various angles and designs with capstans or winches.
After considering the practicality, cost, environmental impact, and effect on the local community we concluded the best and most practical solution for future use is the plan originally submitted, but with the spoil taken off site.
We are still trying to establish whether it will be possible to do this by barge in preference to lorry. Contractors are slow to respond and we need to get the planning application back on the move or we will run out of time. The clubs are on notice to quit the boat park and facilities this October, and our contract to purchase the land once planning is granted cannot be held open indefinitely.
The revised plan lowers the entrance to road level and creates a gently sloping boat parking area above road level, allowing simple access for boats. It will be suitable for all our club members including children, the youth training squad, members with disabilities, and elderly members. The entrance is revised, significantly improving appearance and reducing cost. A planned outboard store has been dropped and the boat shed has been altered to allow simple changing area and toilet.
It is hoped this revised plan will be approved this summer. Use of temporary toilet and boat parking facilities are to be withdrawn in October. These account for 75% of available space, leaving the Gig club with no facilities, and the sailing club with very limited space.
The amended plans will be re-advertised by WDBC shortly, and there will be a second 21 day consultation period. In the first round a really good number of members wrote excellent letters of support to the council, and it would be a tremendous help if you could all take the time to write again, in a similar vein for this second round.
