Appeal lodged against boat museum refusal

Planning chiefs threw out the original application for the proposed development at Beale Park last May.
A decision notice ruled: “The lake and surrounding parkland is a feature of the site set within a sensitive rural landscape.
“In the absence of any details to demonstrate otherwise, a large building in this prominent position is considered to harm the open, largely undeveloped appearance of the site and detract from the natural beauty of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).”
The notice also expressed concerns for wildlife and added: “The proposed siting of the building will result in an unacceptable threat to the sustainability of trees that contribute to the landscape character of the area. Damage that would lead to their
decline is unacceptable because the loss of the trees would impact on the local amenity and no evidence has been submitted to indicate this impact can be satisfactorily mitigated.”
The museum project is designed to house Consuta, the first ever steam umpire’s launch built in Goring in 1898, together with the country’s oldest surviving steam launch, Cygnet, built in 1870.
It would also provide exhibits and information on the heritage and development of powered boatbuilding on the Thames.
Would-be developers the Child Beale Trust, sponsored by The Consuta Trust, envisage that the museum would open onto a pond linked to the lake at Beale Park.
The Consuta Trust and its partner Thames Boats Trust have been campaigning to develop a facility which allows the public to enjoy the craft and learn about the development of boatbuilding on the river.
The project is supported by Newbury MP Richard Benyon and Basildon Parish Council
Chairman of the Consuta Trust, Brian Smith, claimed planners did not inspect the site and said they had asked for extra information at a stage when it was impossible to provide it within the time schedule they imposed.
He added: ‘’We have support from some 50 or so organisations and groups, many of them local to the site and we need as many people as possible to register their support before the January 31 deadline.”
The appeal hearing is scheduled to take place on April 15, at a location still to be confirmed.