New grass cutting trial starts Chichester Harbour jetty is given the green light
Chichester Harbour’s controversial plans to build a larger jetty at Itchenor have been given the green light.
Thechichesterharbourconservancy (CHC) submitted proposals in February to provide ‘increased walk ashore berthing capacity’ by extending the pontoon footprint in ‘association withshoresideamenityimprovements’.
CHC said this would ‘increase convenience and safety’ andenabletheinfrastructurefor increasedelectricchargingto‘facilitate sustainable boating’.
Theexisting46metrelongjetty is to be retained; a second jetty willbeaddedextendingafurther seven metres into the harbour and with a length of 100 metres.
Vessels will be encouraged to moor along the jetty with further craft double berthed creating another seven metres to navigate round before pulling out on Itchenor Hard.
Harbour master Jo Cox said: “The proposed new section of outer pontoon at Itchenor jetty willimproveaccessandincrease capacity for vessels visiting Itchenor, benefitting the local community and all harbour users.”
The harbour conservancy said visitors and moorings holders will be able to leave their vesselswhilevisitinglocalamenities such as the boatyards, sailing club, restaurants and the surrounding area.
A spokesperson added: “The plans are also positive for green boatingastheyincludeprovision of electric vessel charging and a pumpoutfacilitytomanagesewage from vessel holding tanks.
“The existing inner pontoon will be shortened for use as berthing for harbour authority vessels and the Itchenor Ferry. The changes will also provide a safe place for ferry passengers to congregate, away from the vessel movements on the outer pontoon.”
The licensing application received 128 objections – including from the Commodores of Bosham and West Wittering Sailing Clubs, West Itchenor Parish Council and the Itchenor Society as well as from sailing enthusiasts.
The Royal Yachting Association initially lodged an official objection but this was later withdrawn. However, the RYA said it did‘remainconcernedaboutpotentialincreasedtransittimesfor small, unpowered craft’ and the ‘approach taken in the risk assessmenttoaddressthosesigns’.
The association called on the applicant to liaise with Itchenor Sailing Club to ‘mitigate any potential impacts’.
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) approved the licensing application on April 15, having ‘considered all the information that has been provided’. The licence granted contained a ‘numberofconditions’,including requiringmitigationormonitoring measures.
The MMO wrote: “The development falls under the jurisdiction of the Chichester Harbour Conservancy, a Statutory Harbour Authority (SHA), responsibleforensuringnavigationsafety within their waters during both construction and operation of the new jetty.”
The ‘extremely concerned’ West Itchenor Parish Council wroteto‘stronglyobject’afterthe plans came to light, adding that the proposal would ‘create serioussafetyrisks’forthoseafloatin dinghies and self-powered craft launching and returning to Itchenor Hard.
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