The human version (we wrote this, not the council)
This policy sets rules for permanent residential moorings for people living on boats. In built-up areas, moorings must not harm navigation or safety, must maintain the character and biodiversity of the waterway, and need good walking, cycling and public transport access, safe vehicle access, well-designed parking and proper utilities including water, electricity, sewage disposal and laundry facilities. In open countryside, permanent moorings are only allowed within recreational mooring basins, where at least 50% of existing leisure moorings must be kept and external lighting limited to what safety requires.
An unofficial plain English summary. The official wording below is
what counts at examination; check it before you rely on anything here.
The text below is extracted automatically from the official PDF and may
contain artefacts; the PDF is authoritative.
Policy HO.11
Accommodation for Boat Dwellers
A. Built-up Areas
In the Built-up Areas of settlements as defined on the Policies Map, proposals for
permanent moorings on waterways will be considered against the following criteria:
1. They do not interfere with, or result in negative impacts on, navigation and
navigational safety or the operational requirements of the waterway;
2. The historic or visual character of the waterway will be maintained or
enhanced;
3. The biodiversity value of the water, its margins and nearby wildlife corridors
will be maintained or enhanced;
4. There is good accessibility by walking, cycling and public transport to
community facilities.
5. The site has suitable vehicular access, access for emergency vehicles and
would not result in any unacceptable impact on highway safety;
6. Parking and service areas are well-designed in terms of safety, circulation and
appearance
7. There is suitable and well-designed provision of essential utilities and
servicing, including water supply, electricity and waste/sewage disposal
facilities, and areas for showers, laundry and WCs. The provision of any new
waste/sewage disposal facilities should be sited so as not to detract from the
visual amenity of the waterway;
8. The use of adjacent paths will not be impeded;
9. The development will not restrict public access to the waterway; and
10. They do not cause environmental damage or nuisance.
B. Open Countryside
In the Open Countryside proposals for permanent moorings will only be considered
where they are incorporated into a recreational mooring basin with good accessibility
to community facilities and where the following criteria are met:
1. Development involving the loss or change of use of existing leisure moorings
must ensure that at least 50% of the leisure moorings at the site are retained;
2. Moorings must integrate successfully with the surrounding landscape and/or
townscape and result in a positive contribution to the waterway environment;
3. The site has suitable vehicular access, access for emergency vehicles and
must not result in any unacceptable impact on highway safety;
4. Parking and service areas are well-designed in terms of safety, circulation and
appearance, and provided in a communal area wherever feasible;
5. The historic or visual character of the waterway will be maintained or
enhanced;
6. Only provide external lighting that is essential for safety, and which is designed
to satisfactorily minimise light pollution;