Contact: Richard Exley, tel: 01489 576 387

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That, under Section 10 of the Southampton Harbour Act 1924, Section 48 of the Southampton Harbour Act 1949 and Section 36 of the River Hamble Byelaws (Structures and Dredging), Harbour Authority consent be granted to Solar Marine Limited for the application outlined in Section 3 of the report to the River Hamble Executive Member's Group on 25 February 2003, attached as an appendix, the proposals statement and in accordance with the submitted plans, subject to the following conditions:

(a) any dredging works associated with these works to be subject to an application to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs;

(b) Solar Marine to obtain and forward to the Harbour Master copies of all relevant consents prior to works commencing; and

(c) that the Development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of two years.

(ii) That Fareham Borough Council and all other relevant agencies and authorities be informed accordingly.

2. Reason

2.1 In January 2001 Solar Marine obtained the Harbour Authority's consent for these works, but implementation has been delayed to incorporate a number of changes to the drainage system required by the Environment Agency. These problems have now been resolved and the recommendation is that the application be extended.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Refusing to extend the application.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

7943/RE

APPENDIX

Contact: Richard Exley, tel: 01489 576 387

1. Summary

1.1 Following a period of consolidation and reorganisation, Solar Marine Limited, owner of both Universal Shipyard and the adjacent Crableck Marina, has commenced an extensive programme of investment. As a part of these improvements, Solar Marine proposes to relocate the boat hoist bay, replace an unstable river wall and install an interceptor for anti-foul washings.

1.2 In January 2001 Solar Marine obtained the Harbour Authority's consent for these works, but implementation has been delayed to incorporate a number of changes to the drainage system required by the Environment Agency. These problems have now been resolved and the recommendation is that the application be extended.

2. Introduction

2.1 Universal Shipyard and the adjacent Crableck Marina are situated on the Fareham (east) bank of the river, below Sarisbury Green. Whilst there has been some investment and redevelopment ashore at Universal, Crableck consists only of a series of jetties and pontoons. The River Hamble Local Plan (First Alteration) Policy 2 sought to agree improvements to both the environment and structure of the area and the improvement of facilities for yachtsmen.

2.2 In 1997 Universal Shipyard was acquired by the owners of Crableck Marina, the Willment Group, and an application submitted to the former River Hamble Harbour Management Sub-Committee to redevelop both sites as one unit, offering 345 full service pontoon moorings. That application was agreed in principle by the Sub-Committee on 15 October 1997. A project to consolidate those moorings leased from the County Council with the installation of continuous pontoons on piles was approved on 14 October 1998.

2.3 The river frontage of Universal Shipyard was initially a series of slipways projecting into the river. Subsequently, a boat hoist dock has been installed and a gabion river wall constructed across the former slipways, back-filled to provide a hard standing area for vessel storage.

2.4 The gabion wall has now become unstable and the area is subject to flooding. The boat hoist dock is subject to continuous siltation. The boat wash-down area lacks proper drainage and all detritus washed from boats is currently returned to the river in potential contravention of the Water Resources Act 1995.

3. Proposals

3.1 The proposals have been prepared by the operators and their representatives in consultation with Fareham Borough Council, the Environment Agency, English Nature, the Department for Transport (Ports Division), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Crown Estate and the Harbour Master.

Boat Hoist Bay

3.2 The re-siting of the boat hoist dock and raising of the piers should minimise the requirement for maintenance dredging and extend operating hours. The new structure will also be upgraded to 65 tonnes to accept both heavy and high internal volume modern racing yachts.

River Wall

3.3 This is currently in very poor condition and unstable and is to be replaced by a sheet pile river wall with timber facings. Reconstruction of the river wall will enable the haul out and wash-down area to be raised, overcoming problems due to flooding and allowing the construction of a drainage and interceptor system for boat washings.

Recommendations

1. That, under Section 10 of the Southampton Harbour Act 1924, Section 48 of the Southampton Harbour Act 1949 and Section 36 of the River Hamble Byelaws (Structures and Dredging), Harbour Authority consent be granted to Solar Marine Limited for the application outlined in Section 3, the proposals statement and in accordance with the submitted plans, subject to the following conditions:

(i) any dredging works associated with these works to be subject to an application to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs;

(iii) Solar Marine to obtain and forward to the Harbour Master copies of all relevant consents prior to works commencing; and

(iv) this consent to be considered null and void if the work involved is not implemented in full within two years.

2. That Fareham Borough Council and all other relevant agencies and authorities be informed accordingly.

7844/RE