20m mooring pontoon at Land Adjacent Land And Flood Wall Castle Marshes, North Cove

The site

The site was in an open rural marshland landscape beside the River Waveney, within flood zone 3 and near protected habitats.

“Description of site and proposals 1.1. The site is located to the north of the River Waveney, in between Castle Marshes, and Barnby Broad and Marshes, within an open rural marshland landscape. The site occupies a small area adjacent to the riverbank and is surrounded by grazing marsh, drainage ditches and wetland habitat. Behind the flood bank, is the Suffolk Wildlife Trust (SWT) Castle Marshes Nature Reserve. 1.2.”

Officer report

What people said

The boating association had no navigation objection but queried the plans, while one objection cited landscape, wildlife, flood defence, amenity and precedent concerns.

“Planning Committee, 10 April 2026, agenda item number 7.1 4 4. Representations 4.1. Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association - Our committee has discussed this application by email and is happy to advise no objection from a navigation perspective. Whilst the pontoons will result in some reduction in river width, we welcome this new, additional mooring to improve the provision of moorings with land access at regular intervals around the river network.”

“Is the bank and river bed profile based on a topographic survey and plotted sufficiently accurately to ensure that the ramp is feasible? Could plan BA/CM/2025/EL/002 be amended prior to any consent being granted? We believe that this project is highly appropriate to furthering the second purpose of the Broads Act which states “promoting opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Broads by the public”. 4.2.”

Officer report

Questions at the meeting

The applicant confirmed beacon lighting, enforcement of the 24-hour restriction and tidal design information, while members questioned pontoon size and overflow moorings.

Members’ debate

Members discussed possible antisocial behaviour, additional cleats and the balance between conserving the Broads and improving public access and enjoyment.

“A Member asked whether additional mooring cleats could be provided at each bankside corner of the pontoon to help secure craft when they overlapped the pontoon. This was noted by the MTM. A Member was concerned that this remote location could encourage anti-social behaviour overnight when no-one would be present to challenge it. Other Members disagreed believing the people who were to liable to behave in this manner would not travel to a remote location to do so.”

Minutes