Category: Marinas

Queenborough alternative marina plan gains Council support

Queenborough Creek planTim Bell writes: My group are absolutely delighted that Swale Borough Council are taking the Alternative Marina idea seriously. This is a first step, and has been recommended by the Local Development Framework Panel Meeting to put to the council meeting for adoption by the council meeting on 2nd March. A large number of respondents (nearly 70) requested that this alternative plan be ‘adopted’ by the Borough Council instead of the proposed Masterplan Addendum. Respondents supported the alternative plan for a number of reasons, notably that:
  • the waterside location is unique and should not be used for housing when alternative brownfields available for this;
  • the alternative marina plan is cheaper and more deliverable;
  • a marina would add to local amenity and recreation value and provide a focus for the area;
  • a marina would generate local employment and will support the economic prosperity of the town and island as a whole;
  • it would attract a lot of visitors to the area, especially if the expected level of tidal access could be achieved, and could be a significant boost to the tourism offer of Queenborough and Sheppey generally, as an important focal point. It would diversify Sheppey’s traditional ‘bucket and spade’ holiday offer and cater for a more sophisticated market;
  • Queenborough is a better location for a marina than the Sheerness Port proposal. Economic upturn means that deliverability of a marina now possible and should be reinstated in plans;
  • a marina would make the housing in the area more viable and enable a higher density to be achieved; and
  •  increased yacht visits will encourage related industry and jobs.

Proposals

3.1 As a result of, and in response to, the consultation responses received, it is proposed to strengthen the Masterplan Addendum to highlight that the area to the south of the Creek is to be safeguarded for future Creekside leisure, commercial and open space uses. This can be seen in Appendix I. This leaves open the possibility of the Alternative Marina Creek Plan being implemented once the promoters gain funding for their scheme.

Queenborough and Rushenden – Indicative Revised Land Use Plan Addendum to 2010 Adopted Masterplan

Expansion at Queenborough Harbour

Press Release from Queenborough Harbour Trust

With the recent addition of a further 9 moorings, Queenborough Harbour continues to expand its services to the boating community. These Shoal Draft/Half Tide moorings are suitable for boats up to 10m long that are able to settle in the soft mud. Mooring holders will benefit from all the amenities available at Queenborough, including a free trot boat service, while the low pricing reflects the restriction on access. Please contact the Harbour for further information.If you like the idea of a half tide mooring, but your boat is longer than 10m, please let us know and we will arrange to install half tide moorings to suit longer boats.

Save Queenborough Creek for maritime use, support alternative marina plan

Queenborough Creek planThe 2006 plan for Queenborough regeneration included a marina but this aspect was later dropped in favour of building houses right up to the south edge of the water. See SBC+HCA amended plan here. If you would like to support a revised, more practical plan for a marina in Queenborough Creek (click image to enlarge and download QUEENBOROUGH CREEK MARINA9a), to preserve the unique location for maritime use, please email planning@swale.gov.uk before 15 December.

Octopus spotted in Gillingham Marina

octopusAn unexpected visitor could still be lurking at a marina – after it surprised fishermen and onlookers by swimming into Gillingham’s waters. A red octopus was spotted by the marina wall near the hoists where the boats are taken in and out of the water.

Harbour master, Kevin Dutch, said he popped in to work at the weekend and saw a lot of people standing around looking at the water. The octopus was spotted in Gillingham Marina on Saturday. Mr Dutch, 33, said: “It’s not something you normally see here. I’ve been here eight years, its the first time I’ve seen one of them. The crabs were trying to attack it, and it was attacking the crabs. It’s not something you normally see here. I’ve been here eight years, its the first time I’ve seen one of them.”

The marina was holding a Boat and Chandlery Fair, and Mr Dutch said he thinks it could have attached itself to one of the boats and hitched a lift into the marina or managed to swim in whilst the lock gates were open. At the moment it is unclear if the strange guest is still swimming around the marina.Mr Dutch said it could have made its way back out, but added that people were talking about catching it and releasing it out at sea. He said it would have to be released about a mile out to sea as “they are very intelligent creatures and it could find its way back”.

The species of the octopus remains a mystery, but a spokesman for the Kent Wildlife Trust said he believed it was a common octopus (Octopus vulgaris).

Gillingham Marina “On the Water Weekend” brought out the sun and smiles

Gillingham Marina’s On The Water Weekend, run on the 27/28 April in association with Medway Watersports Centre, marked what seemed to be the start of the boating season in regard to the weather by getting prospective boaters on the water.  The nationwide boating and watersports event was launched by the British Marine Federation (BMF) to encourage more people of all ages and abilities to get on the water and try something new.

Clinton Lyon of Gillingham Marina said “We are very pleased to spread the addiction to boating on the Medway and put a smile on a number of faces. To top it all, the sun finally came out.”

Trevor Peen and the team from Medway Watersports Centre had a very productive weekend recruiting a number of adults and youngsters to join the weekend dinghy sailing session which runs until December from the Strand, a site next to Gillingham Marina on the River Medway.

If you missed the opportunity to join us during the On the Water Weekend, come along to the fourth Gillingham Marina and Clarke and Carter’s “Medway Boat and Chandlery Fair” to be held over the 6/7 July where, as well as the on the water experience, the marine trade will be on hand with demonstrations, technical advice and question and answer sections. There will be an array of pre-owned and new sail and motorboat to be viewed with Clarke and Carter along with RIBs, dinghies and kayaks in the Chandlery.

It is hoped that a connecting shuttle bus service from and to the Medway River Festival on Saturday 6 July, on Chatham waterfront, will swell the numbers at both events.

Medway Council intend the festival to be bigger than ever, with the landing of a seaplane, races and river processions, colourful displays of yachts, rowing boats, historical craft, barges, tugs and kayak demonstrations. On shore amongst the children’s entertainment, live music, food and trade stalls you will find the Gillingham Marinas Boat & Chandlery Fairs stand directing show goers to the bus and booking On the Water sessions.  Please do come and join us for what promises to be a very enjoyable weekend.

For further details relating to the Boat & Chandlery Fair please contact Clinton Lyon on 01634 280022 or Clinton@gillingham-marina.co.uk

Queenborough Harbour appoints new staff member and free trot boat service

Queenborough Harbour Trust would like to inform everyone that following the appointment of Phil Shaw as our latest member of Queenborough Harbour, the harbour will be manned Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Mondays from 08.00 to 10.00 and 16.00 to 22.00. He will be available to assist with enquires and provide a free trot boat service.

Phil has spent most of his working career on the water both in the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy. He was stationed on the Royal Yacht Britannia for two years and comes to us with a wealth of experience.

Contact should be made by radio channel 08 call sign “Sheppey One”.

I hope you can all spread the word about this service and we look forward to further meeting the needs of our mooring holders and visitors whenever we can.

When ashore Phil will be based in the Harbour Look-out on Crundels Wharf, if anyone would be interested in volunteering to assist Phil I am sure he will enjoy the company and help. Just contact Queenborough Harbour Trust or call in and see Phil who will take your details for us to get back to you.

Eddie Johnson
Director QHT