Village Harbour To Get New 19.7 Metre Houseboat Despite Neighbour Concerns

An Isle of Wight village’s harbour will get a new 19.7 metre houseboat with 27 rooftop solar panels despite opposition from a neighbour.

The council approved Peter Mikkelsen’s proposal to assemble Avocet III in Bembridge Harbour next to Embankment Road.

His plans also include the prior installation of a supporting steel frame and four associated mooring poles.

The new residential vessel will replace a houseboat which sank at the site in August 2022.

An inspection carried out after the sinking of the Petrenda ‘revealed notable rotting’, according to a statement prepared by Logic Planning on behalf of Mr Mikkelsen.

The removal of the Petrenda was completed in October 2023 following the granting of a Marine Management Organisation licence.

County Hall planners said:

“The proposed development has been supported by all the necessary reports to demonstrate that the work can be carried out without adverse impact on the protected areas and would be safe from flooding and future adverse impacts.

“The design of the development is considered to be acceptable in its context within the (Bembridge) conservation area and in terms of impacts on neighbouring amenity.”

The council received one letter of objection from David Bedding who lives on Houseboat Harbourside View.

He said:

“The size of the proposed structure is excessive and larger than other houseboats in the area, extending further into the harbour and obstructing the view from the roadside.

“Unlike Petrenda that was visually more appealing and didn’t have the width of the new house, therefore offering greater views across the harbour.”