CONTROVERSIAL plans to revamp Upton Marina, which could threaten the future of the town’s Rowing Club, will be decided at a meeting next week.
Planning chiefs at Malvern Hills District Council have recommended refusal over plans submitted by Tingdene Marinas to build 45 new homes at the site.
As well as new homes lining up beside the waterside, plans also include building a new community hub comprising a bar and restaurant.
An upgrade to the site’s boat chandlery, used to store equipment and provide access to boat ramps and moorings, is also part of the revamp plans as well as car parking provision.
Upton Town Council has welcomed the revamp plans but Upton Rowing Club chiefs have stated the proposed plans could jeopardise the club’s future because of its layout.
But planning chiefs have recommended the Southern Area Development Management Committee to refuse the application on several grounds – stating it fails to comply with South Worcestershire Development Plan policy and a Flood Risk Assessment submitted in support of the development was deemed by the Local Planning Authority to be
flawed.
A report to the committee reads: “The application site lies outside of the development boundary of Upton Upon Severn as defined by SWDP2, where new development in the open countryside will be strictly controlled and limited to specific uses (SWPD2 C), none of which apply in this case.”
In a response to the refusal recommendation, Steve Arber from Tingdene Marines has written to the district council outlining reasons why the plans should go ahead.
A letter reads: “Upton Marina is a key facility within the locality and the improvement of which will benefit the town and wider area greatly.
“The facility deserved to be regenerated to align with its status and setting.”
However Upton Rowing Club bosses said space in front of the boat house, in the proposed scheme, may be insufficient to withdraw and manoeuvre rowing boats.
Club chairman Maurice Stanley said : “We have neither a viable alternative site nor the funds to relocate, so approval of the current proposed planning application risks shutting down this thriving and growing sports club.
“This would be a great loss of local sports and leisure facilities, and particularly would stop the teaching and coaching of children.”
This came after a previous letter from club president Peter Barker stated major concerns.
His letter said: “We have no objection to the proposed scheme in principle, but believe that without appropriate modification it could seriously prejudice our own ability to operate as a rowing club and even threaten our existence altogether.”
The meeting will be held on Wednesday at Malvern Hills District Council’s council chamber on Avenue Road at 7pm.
