Boat ramp plan raises fears of environmental harm

The application site relates to land by the River Wye in Hereford (generic image)

Proposals for a boat ramp on the River Wye have been recommended for refusal, with council planning officers saying the scheme would leave "significant risks to protected habitats".

A company including Hereford Rowing Club and Hereford Rugby Club also seeks planning permission for the siting of a crane and a footpath.

While the scheme offered social and economic benefits for the city, it posed dangers of environmental harm, a Herefordshire Council report said.

Members of the authority's planning and regulatory committee will meet to consider the plans on Wednesday.

An application was made by Vega Marine Services Community Interest Company (CIC) - a type of limited company that exists to benefit the community rather than private shareholders. The venture also included Hereford Sea Cadets, the report said.

The application site relates to land between the Sea Cadets' base and the rowing club on the northern banks of the Wye, accessed via Greyfriars Avenue.

According to a planning document, the proposed development aimed to enhance tourism and improve established community provision, also boosting emergency access to facilities.

The scheme itself would not infringe on other recreational rights on the Wye and the proposed crane would enable "safe lifting of vessels" on and off the river next to the rowing club, the document said.

The stretch of river in question forms part of the River Wye Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The report said it was Natural England's view the proposal would not be "compatible with the restore objective" for the Wye SAC, and the body - the government's adviser for the natural environment - advised against granting planning permission.

The council said both its ecologist and Natural England had found proposed mitigation measures insufficient, "leaving significant risks to protected habitats and species".

It stated information provided supporting the application did not "adequately address the potential ecological impacts or propose effective mitigation strategies to protect the sensitive features of the designated site".

Councillors are due to visit the site on Tuesday.