Plans for new workshop at Victoria Quay in Gosport are given the green light
A new marine workshop will be built in Gosport
Plans for a new marine workshop building at a historic Gosport waterfront have been given the green light.
A new 1,400sq m building will be constructed to support boat repair and maintenance operations at Victoria Quay in Gosport.
The building, within Clarence Yard, will include several boat bays designed for specific vessels, along with three workshop spaces and staff rooms.
Members of Gosport Borough Council’s regulatory board met on Wednesday, June 3, to discuss the proposals.
Cllr Stephen Philpott, Conservative for Peel Common, said: “There needs to be a reasonable amount of consideration. Whilst I acknowledge that there are no objections, the proposal is to plonk what is effectively a steel-framed industrial shed in the middle of a conservation area. We need to be absolutely sure we are doing the right thing.”
He added that the proposed building is relatively close to the town centre, but the “lack of parking provision” could pose an issue.
Cllr Philpott said: “It does add a bit of concern.
“My concern is also the building of something which looks like a rusty building – a steel construction – close to the proximity of the sea water in a conservation area near listed buildings, with no guarantee it will create employment, which gives me a small amount of concern.
“I would have liked to have a little bit more information from UK Docks than we have got.
“I think we are taking something of a risk if we decide to approve this. There is a risk involved, but hopefully the officer’s report is right, and it will create jobs on that site, and the viability of water access will prevail.”
Cllr Colin Towell, Reform representative for Alver and Grange Valley, agreed that there was a lack of parking access.
He added: “But I sometimes think it is important that we just roll the dice and, in this case, it’s the right thing for us to do.”
The planning officer said they do not have information that says whether the steel structure of the building would be impacted by the saltwater.
The plans were approved.