Mooring Right Bank Adjacent Bridge House Waterside Upton Upon Severn

1. 1.The development is situated outside of any defined development boundary where development is strictly controlled subject to other Policies in the Development Plan. In this instance the development is contrary to Policy SWDPR 52 of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review as it fails to meet with criterion (i), (vi) and (vii) by reason that the enlarged mooring has failed to have reasonable regard to all potential users of the waterway and has resulted in conflicting uses with other moorings being inaccessible as a result of its size, adversely affecting the amenity of a waterway. Furthermore, the information submitted with the application is deficient in terms of details to demonstrate that the number and capacity of existing provision can accommodate the increase proposed, the impact on landscape and provision for safe access. It is therefore an unacceptable form of development within the open countryside contrary to Policies SWDPR 03 and SWDPR 52 of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review.
2. 2.The pontoon is of a size and materials which fails to respect the character of the area and its unbalanced design results in a visual intrusion, due to the mass of concrete negatively contrasting with the surrounding natural riverside environment. The pontoon adversely affects the character and appearance of the conservation area, as well as the setting of three Grade II listed buildings (The Swan Inn (H.E. Ref: 1227324), Bridge House (H.E. Ref: 1265404), and The King’s Head (H.E. Ref: 1227322)) in close proximity to the site, resulting in a moderate level of harm to heritage assets. The development is therefore contrary to Policies SWDPR 05, SWDPR 09, SWDPR 28 and SWDPR 33 of the SWDPR and also contrary to paragraphs 210-215 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
3. 3.The site is located within Flood Zone 3b and forms part of the functional flood plain; however the applicant has failed to provide a suitable Flood Risk Assessment or a Flood Evacuation Plan as required by policies SWDPR 38. In particular, the submitted FRA is deficient in respect of information pertaining to the Design Flood Level for the site and how the proposed pontoon will behave during a design flood event. Furthermore it has not been adequately demonstrated how the development will remain operational and safe for users in times of flood, result in no net loss of floodplain storage and not impede water flows and not increase flood risk elsewhere. The application has also failed to demonstrate that the integrity of the flood defence has not been affected or compromised as a result of the works. Finally, no Flood Warning and Evacuation Plan has been submitted which identifies a flood level that will initiate evacuation of people, and any subsequent closure of the facility. Overall, the applicant has failed to demonstrate that the development would not have an adverse impact on the functional floodplain and that safe access can be provided in the event of a flood. Consequently, the development is considered to result in an increase in flood risk to the area and an unacceptable risk to life for future users of the development contrary to Policy SWDPR 38 of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review as well as being contrary to paragraphs 170 and 175 of the NPPF and also contrary to the guidance set out within paragraphs 044, 047 and 048 of the NPPG.

From the council's decision notice.

Application type

Full planning permission

Scale / size

Small

Parish

Upton-upon-Severn CP

Date validated

17 February 2026

Consultation expiry

20 March 2026

Consultation start

19 February 2026

Consultation end

20 March 2026

Agent address

Open Space Business Centre Chequers Close Enigma Park Malvern Worcestershire WR14 1GP

Advertisement expiry

20 March 2026

Documents

46