Agenda item

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Councillors Chatterton and Toleman, having declared interests, withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this application.

The Principal Planning Officer presented his report which detailed an application for the stationing of a replica galleon with mast and sail at the dockside and use as café, erection of bin store and ramp to pontoon and works to dockside barrier at Victoria Basin, The Docks.

He drew Members’ attention to the late material which contained a representation from the Canal and River Trust and a representation in support of the application.

David Howard, the Applicant, addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Mr Howard circulated illustrations of the finishes proposed for the galleon. He advised that he was aiming to create an 18^th century ambience with oil paintings, telescopes and similar objects. There would be a puppet theatre, a children’s’ area and an outdoor area on the upper deck.

He anticipated good media coverage of the attraction which brings visitors from outside the City. The development would create jobs including puppeteers.  catering staff and opportunities for students from Gloucestershire College. Dependent on seasonal variations Mr Howard anticipated employing 6 – 12 part-time staff.

He had experience of running a tourist operation on the Kennet and Avon Canal and British Waterways had been supportive.  He noted that the Canal and River Trust and British Waterways Marinas had originally supported the proposals.

He noted the success of the Tall Ships visits and Pirate Week and expected that schools, nurseries and charities would benefit from the galleon.

Greg Moger, representing 41 boat owners and seven residents, addressed the Committee in objection to the application.

Mr Moger expressed concerns regarding the impact the structure would have on the beautiful historic Docks area. He did not consider it to be a ship and believed that it would demean the area and dominate the gateway to the Docks.

He objected to the layout and designs and criticised the lack of detail accompanying the application. There would be a negative impact on boat owners using the moorings and residents who already suffered trespassers and trophy hunters on the pontoons.

He concurred with the Canal and River Trust and believed that the galleon would be a danger to navigation.

He expressed concerns relating to the safety of children as there only limited means of rescue.

He believed that granting consent to this application would open Pandora’s Box and encourage applications with an impact similar to that of the former Golden Egg on Kings Square.

He noted that the Civic Trust were not now supporting the application and that the Canal and River Trust were withdrawing the lease of the basin from British Waterways Marinas from 1 April 2015.

Councillor Hilton noted that no drawings had been presented with the application to enable Members to assess the impact on the Conservation Area or Britannia Warehouse. He did not believe that the Pirate theme was relevant to the history of the Docks and expressed concerns regarding access to the pontoons.  He was not totally opposed but could not support the proposal on the basis of the information provided.

Councillor Hobbs believed that the proposal would detract from the historic setting and visitors liked to see the area as it was in the past.

Councillor Smith welcomed the application and noted that the historic docks did not have designer shops or car parks in the past. She noted that the docks became alive during the special events such as markets and fireworks and that the Docks were for everyone not just boat owners. The Docks needed a proposal like this.

Councillor Lewis believed that the galleon would be fun but questioned whether the proposed location was appropriate.

The Chair thought the proposal would be fun and we could be too fussy about the area. He was happy with the external appearance but expressed concern at the lack of illustrations. He noted that the Docks was a mixed use area.

Councillor Brown expressed his disappointment at the lack of illustration but believed that the development was not in keeping with the historic Docks.

Councillor Dee did not wish to see the galleon in either of the main basins.  He also wanted to see the finished ship.

Councillor Lewis asked if the Committee could consider an alternative location and was advised that Members were required to consider the application before them although there could be future applications for alternative locations.

Members were advised that the application could be deferred for further information.

RESOLVED that the application be deferred to await further information to enable the Committee to assess the impact of the development on the Conservation Area.