Village split over plans to bring back boats

An ambitious plan to set up a stopping point for boats outside a quiet village is causing a storm.

Datchet parish councillors want to replace the two rotting wooden jetties on the riverbank at Windsor Road, Datchet while adding a third alongside them. They see the site as a great pick-up point for Olympic visitors this summer, which would also bring long term benefits to Datchet's businesses.

Newly elected parish councillor Ian Thompson and veteran Don Lyons-Davis - the lead member for grounds - are firmly behind the plan.

Cllr Thompson said: "There has been public mooring here since the 1870s. It only stopped when the two jetties became too decayed and dangerous to be safe.

"Having the boats stop here again would bring life to the village and give a boost to all the businesses."

Councillors envisage some boat owners stopping for a full 24 hours and using the cafes, pubs and restaurants - while topping up in supplies from the mini-mart.

The Environment Agency has already given consent for the two rotting 7m long jetties to be replaced by new 9ft long ones 11m apart. But the real controversy arises from an application for a third jetty about 20m away, that could be used by French Brothers as a stopping point for their commercial boats.

Janet Kennish, who is chairman of Datchet Village Society said: "This is a real conservation issue. It is all very well for them to say that boats stopped here regularly 30 years ago or whenever. But that was before the riverbank was made part of the conservation area.

"The view would be changed forever if boats were constantly stopping here and the view is crucial to Datchet."

She accused the parish council of ignoring requests made over months to meet the society.

Resident Parvis Jamieson who lives in High Street said: "Boats constantly stopping would bring people causing nuisance and dropping rubbish.

He said: "We are a quiet village. We don't want this."

The Parish Council is having a public meeting on Wednesday, January 25 at 7.30pm at which all interested parties will be able to state their views.