THE trustees of Weir Quay Community Watersports are concerned about the 'speculation, rumour and misinformation' regarding the planning application for a boat park in a field at Weir Quay.

This is quite understandable. Unless the public, planning officers and members of the planning committee have all the facts they can only speculate about the intentions of the applicants.

Tamar Valley Preservation Association's position is clear. We believe that boats should be kept at the waterside and sheep and cattle should be kept in green fields of outstanding natural beauty.

We believe that this simple philosophy is understood by all those on the peninsula who signed the recent petition, which has risen to over 700. We also believe the vast majority of signatories would support suitable facilities on the shoreline.

An attractive building of sensible proportions and of traditional design could be provided. At Weir Quay Boatyard piles can be seen extending over the foreshore. The area at the top of the slipway is of no ecological value and is some distance from the fast flowing river channel in any event.

It has been suggested that Natural England, the Environment Agency, the AONB and the Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum have strong objections to any development below the high water mark, but the slipway has been developed. It would still be used for launching boats.

It is a fact that the Marine and Coastal Access Bill poses a relatively new challenge, but local marine plans have to take recreation into account and interestingly account also has to be taken of land planning issues and a joined up approach is advocated – it was never the intention of the legislation, for example, to drive activities associated with marine recreation off the foreshore, across a road and up a hillside.

It is understood by the marine agencies that the issues have to be weighed. In the case of Weir Quay, there are, of course, safety considerations.

Although land would have to be rented and freehold would not be possible, we believe a very attractive long-term arrangement could be secured.

The number of boats that should be accommodated at Weir Quay is a thorny subject and the yacht club has to be realistic.

It has to be recognised that West Devon Borough Council and its planners have discharged their duties satisfactorily as far as dinghy sailors are concerned. Training is available at Roadford which is open all year.

Those who use the foreshore area for recreation at Weir Quay are not particularly vociferous, but their enjoyment should not be compromised. They are entitled to equal consideration by the planning authority.

While the energy and enthusiasm of the applicants in raising funds is to be admired those funds need not be spent on the most divisive option. We need an acceptable waterside option, and proper provision for redundancy if we are to take heritage seriously.

Vic Gardner

Secretary

Tamar Valley

Preservation Association