WILLOWS RIVERSIDE DEVELOPMENT – WITHDRAWAL

The Developer has decided to withdraw its application to replace residential moorings with 13 semi-permanent floating dwellings intended for permanent residential use.  See  http://www.windsorexpress.co.uk/News/Areas/Windsor/Planning-application-for-house-boats-at-Willows-Riverside-Park-withdrawn-10122015.htm

The Association has been supporting Tais Oliviera, a member of the Association, with her campaign to stop this development.

Over 300 letters of objections have been received which include

Eton College Oakley Green and Fifield residents
Residential Boat Owners’ Association (RBOA) River Thames User Groups RUG)
Association of Thames Yacht Clubs (ATYC) British Rowing
The Barge Association (DBA) Eton Excelsior Rowing Club
River Thames Society (RTS) West Windsor Residents Association
British Canoeing Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
Windsor and District Canoe Club Thames Regional Rowing Council, British canoeing

 

A key stakeholder, the Environment Agency, has objected to the development for the following reasons

 

  • Flood risk vulnerability
  • Navigation and flood defence issues caused by the projection of the floating structures into the watercourse
  • Failure to demonstrate appropriate safe access and egress escape routes which would put a t risk the safety of the occupants during a flood event
  • Negative impact on the setting of the Thames and Green Belt: encroachment into public open space in terms of scale and bulk
  • Development of a non-navigational nature, should only be accepted into the river channel under exceptional circumstances. Provision of residential accommodation on the river is not considered an exceptional circumstance
  • Lack of evidence that flood risk sequential test has been applied
  • Removal of residential moorings on the non-tidal Thames