An amateur archaeologist is calling for a slipway constructed by a yacht club to be dismantled as he says it is causing damage to an area rich with Roman remains.
Albert Payne, 75, of May Avenue, Canvey, is furious that Island Yacht Club has installed the 100-yard slipway at Canvey Point -despite not having planning permission to do so. Mr Payne, formerly a member of Rochford 100 field archaeology group, said the move made a “joke” of the borough’s planning regulations.
He said: “I understand the yacht club is now planning to apply for permission which seems ridiculous as the thing is already in place. The council said the club was allowed to apply for retrospective permission, which, to me, defeats the object of having planning laws.”
He said Canvey Point had been adopted as a greenbelt area because it was “rich with Roman remains” and birds flocked there on their migration route. He said a slipway could cause the site damage and appealed for planning permission not to be granted.
However Barry Hiscutt, commodore of the yacht club, denied the slipway had already been installed.
He said: “We haven’t bought the jetty yet. We have a ramp that has been in place for several years and was recently tidied up, which could have led some people to think we have installed the new jetty. We have lodged an application for planning permission for the jetty and will wait to see if we get it before putting it in.”
He said the club has liased with English Nature on the plans and had agreed to not use the jetty when migrating birds are at Canvey Point.
No Comments
Add a comment about this page