Application will go ahead for Datchet river plan

Controversial plans to establish a mooring area for boats on an idyllic riverside site have taken a step nearer reality.

Datchet parish councillors agreed yesterday to put in a formal planning application to the Royal Borough, for permission to put three new jetties on the village's riverbank.

They believe encouraging passing boats to stop at Datchet could bring vital new life to its shops and businesses. But at a public meeting held last month, opinion was sharply divided.

This week parish council chairman Cllr Linda O'Flynn insisted that the decision to apply for planning permission did not mean members were trying to 'force' the plan for three jetties through. But she said it was important to know whether borough officers would accept or oppose the idea.

She said: "If they oppose the plan, we could end up just replacing the two rotting jetties that are there now - or even not building any.

"When we know what the borough is prepared to accept we can then go to a full public consultation in the village."

But opponents of the plan who attended yesterday's parish council meeting were clearly unhappy.

Fiona Cryle said: "The parish is going ahead with a planning application without having costed the plan, or done a health or safety analysis. There has been no dialogue with the community, on analysis done about the impact on the conservation area if three jetties were built.

"The view from the riverbank is an important part of the conservation area. French Brothers boats are 90 feet long. The average travelling boat is 30 feet. What is being preposed will have a tremendous impact."

Many residents support the replacement of the two rotting jetties but oppose the idea of a third, more commercial one.