A CONTROVERSIAL proposal for a boat park at Weir Quay within the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has been unanimously supported by West Devon Borough Council's planning committee.

The plans by Weir Quay Community Watersports Hub Club include a boatshed, toilet and changing facilities and associated works but omit an outboard engine store which was included in a previous application.

A total of 121 letters were submitted to the borough council against the scheme, expressing concern about the impact of the development on the tranquil beauty spot and foreshore and the potential to build a clubhouse at a later date.

There were some 61 letters supporting the plans which were put forward by the hub club to secure the future of the sailing and the gig club.

The previous application was withdrawn by the hub club last year due to the inability to get all landowners to sign a Section 106 legal agreement which would have rescinded the use of the existing facilities for the storage, repair, maintenance and use of boats.

At the planning meeting on Tuesday planning officers said there was a section of land that was still not within the agreement and could not be signed off, but they had sought a way forward which would considerably reduce the possibility that boats could be brought onto this remaining section of the outer dinghy park, including installing a low post and rail structure along the length of the site.

Stephen Gill, representing the Committee of the Friends of Weir Quay, said the section 106 was put in place to take away all the existing facilities and stop intensification of use in that area and now it appeared that there was a complete u-turn on the decision made last year.

Hub club chairman Simon Howes said everyone greatly valued the beauty and serenity of Weir Quay and he made an assurance that every trace of the current facilities would be removed to the new site.

He said that Mount Edgcumbe, which was one of the landowners, was legally debarred from signing the agreement.

Cllr Robin Musgrave said this was a very special location but it was also the only public access to the tidal Tamar open to the residents of West Devon where they could launch their boats.

He said he regretted the level of excavation of the landscape to create the new facility but the final development would have a low impact in the landscape.

Members recognised the importance of the clubs with their 300 members, providing a sport to young and old.