Assessment of Boatyard Facilities on the River Thames - Mayor of ...

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The application was forwarded to the GLA as part <strong>of</strong> a stage 1 strategic referral and
comments (generally in support <strong>of</strong> the proposed redevelopment <strong>of</strong> the eyot by
Terrace Hill) can be found here:
http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/planning_decisions/strategic_dev/2005/may2505/pl
atts_eyot_report.pdf
Revisions to the application indicated in October 2005 were submitted to the Council
on 30 November 2005 (ultimately published on 10 January 2006). These revisions
reduced the number <strong>of</strong> residential units by one and also altered the design <strong>of</strong>
buildings, included alterations to the landscaping details and bridge. The alterations
are described at:
http://www.ukplanning.com/richmond/doc/Other-2568219.pdf?extension=.pdf&id=
2568219&location=VOLUME2&contentType=application/pdf&pageCount=11
The application is yet to be determined by the London Borough <strong>of</strong> Richmond Upon
Thames. The most recent technical work put together by the Borough and applicant
is in relation to a bat survey and environmental aspects <strong>of</strong> the scheme. Objections to
the scheme have been raised by the EA and English Nature. Nothwithstanding this,
the GLA Biodiversity unit has supported the findings <strong>of</strong> the survey and expressed a
view that the recommendations <strong>of</strong> the report should be secured through planning
condition.
Comments (2000)
The yard is involved in the repair and maintenance <strong>of</strong> craft. Mr Adams has already
carried out an extensive programme <strong>of</strong> refurbishment to the (listed) unit. Further work
(including the replacement <strong>of</strong> some ro<strong>of</strong> trusses which have been cut through) is
planned. An area <strong>of</strong> hardstanding will be created when the derelict adjacent unit is
demolished. Mr Adams is interested in leasing this area but would be precluded from
charging people to store craft on it by the terms <strong>of</strong> his lease.
The 120 feet long covered slipway is a scarce resource on this part <strong>of</strong> the River
Thames.
Comments (2007)
The planning application by Terence Hill Developments states that the 74 dwellings
will provide the funding necessary to restore the listed boat houses and other
buildings.
Mr. Adams was unable to comment on the effect <strong>of</strong> the proposed residential
development on his boatyard business as the licence that he has to occupy unit 2 at
Platts Eyot precludes him from doing so. There is clearly a concern that he may be
forced to pay uneconomic rent for use <strong>of</strong> the restored covered slipway. Such
concerns were identified in the GLA PDU report on the planning application that said:
• “The London Plan’s Policy 4C.18 is clear in its requirement that the Mayor will
seek to support facilities and activities in the Blue Ribbon Network and
specifically identifies the need to retain boatyards, boat storage and repair
facilities. The refurbishment and retention <strong>of</strong> the river related uses <strong>of</strong> boatyards
and boathouses are therefore particularly welcomed as an integral part <strong>of</strong> the
scheme. The retention, refurbishment and creation <strong>of</strong> new river related facilities
justifies other development on this site, but such facilities would need to be
made available under financial and other conditions that are realistic for the
potential clients/user market.
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Boatyard</strong> <strong>Facilities</strong> on the River Thames Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd - April 2007