NEWSLymington Harbour plansBy Rebecca Strong01/07/2022Save articleA yacht club in the New Forest is seeking reassurance that proposed harbour development plans will not affect sailing in the area.Royal Lymington Yacht Club has responded to a public consultation issued by Lymington Harbour Commissioners regarding its Harbour Development Plan. Whilst broadly in favour of the plans, the yacht club has raised concerns about a proposed move away from mid-river moorings, and ongoing access to the club’s facilities and the river.“We are supportive of the plan at this high level [and have] great confidence that the Harbour Commissioners are looking forward in a consultative and constructive way to ensure the special nature of the Lymington River is maintained and developed,” said Jenny Wilson, Rear Commodore Sailing, Royal Lymington Yacht Club.Lymington is a key harbour in the New Forest, popular for sailing and travelling to the Isle of Wight Photo: Lymington Harbour CommissionersLymington Harbour’s plan will guide sustainable development over the next ten years and beyond. Among proposed changes are an overhaul of available mooring, improvements to access, safety and navigation, an expansion to facilities at the commercial quay and a replacement for the Bath Road slipway to make it safer and more usable.Improving access for residentsRoyal Lymington Yacht Club has commented that it would like the plans to list improved access for residents as a specific aim and has also flagged proposed mooring changes.“Whilst we understand the waiting list demand is greater for walk ashore moorings, we are concerned that the continual move away from mid-river moorings reduces the number of lower cost moorings for local residents,” said Jenny Wilson, who also requested that the yacht club is fully consulted on detailed plans to convert the Fortuna area to walk ashore berths only.Concerns were also raised regarding plans to improve the Bath Road slipway as this plays a significant part in activity on the river. “We support the need for the slipway to be extended,” said Jenny. “If unchanged, it will restrict access to the river and potentially inhibit commercial growth in Lymington.“But it is also a complex water and land design which will require careful consideration of many factors,” she continued. “Whilst we support this development we would wish to be closely involved in the detailed design both from an operational perspective and as an adjacent land owner.”The club has asked that changes to the slipway be prioritised and has committed to working with the harbour commissioners on the availability of public grants and funding for this work.

Source: Lymington Harbour plans | News | Boating Business