The Secretary of the Exeter
Port Users Group (EPUG), David Rochester attended to provide a
verbal update from the Group’s recent meetings and
activities:-
- in noting the HRO process was moving
forward, EPUG expressed concern that no mention had been made to
the public with regard to the level of Harbour Dues prior to the application.
- in citing a recent BBC report on the loss of
revenue opportunities at Langstone
Harbour, who now had only modest
mooring charges (£8 a metre) as
their only income stream with many vacant moorings remaining. Many
River Exe users have discussed the City Council’s intentions
over future river management and at what level they expect it to be
economically viable. There was very limited commercial revenue and
with the addition of high costs associated with the upkeep of the
canal, Harbour Dues paid by river
owners can only ever cover a fraction of the costs associated with
the Port. EPUG had calculated a figure in relation to moorings with
a figure of 10,000 metres, with a 10%
margin of error and included boats kept in the Canal Basin and
Exmouth Dock.
- the recent Heritage Harbour Festival appeared to be a great success and
was a reassuring sign of the city’s interest in its maritime
heritage and boating in general.
- there was concern about the
Council’s plans for the port area, under the Exeter Living
and Water Lane projects. With the national interest growth in
boating, and more accessible types of water craft for all abilities
and ages, EPUG suggested that the development may restrict
facilities for the sport and its associated industries. They
suggested a likely loss of hard standing, craning and space for
crafts-people to set up business would be both regrettable and not
compatible with a Heritage port.
- similarly
restricting the space
available for kayaking/canoeing and other water-based clubs, was
not desirable and it was likely that the new residents of water
side housing would be expecting good water-based leisure facilities
to go with them. Any plan which curtails space and amenities for
that, would reduce the attractiveness of those dwellings for
active, fitness minded residents. A modern river/canal living space
should be accessible to all as a leisure and sporting area, which
also then adds to the attractiveness for visitors, reinforcing the
concept of Exeter as a modern, lively, healthy city to live and
work in.
The following response was given to Board Members’
questions:-
- the calculation of the number of
boats in the river had included both the river and canal,
Exmouth Docks and the Marina and was
accurate to within a 10% margin.
- most UK ports have revenue from
commercial traffic. Exeter’s Port had limited commercial
revenue and the Canal with its strict maintenance regime was
operated at considerable expense.
- in terms of the protection from the
proposed development, the space around the Canal Basin will be
important for the clubs to continue to operate. He was aware of the
proposed development at Water Lane and how that might encroach on
the area available for boats. The Chair added that the planning
application was on the Council’s web site for comments and
there was the opportunity to comment on that as well as on the
Exeter Local Plan.
Members noted the report and
suggested that in future the report be circulated to Members in
advance of the meeting.