Boatyard to be built on river island (From The Oxford Times)

Boatyard to be built on river island

9:10am Friday 14th September 2012 in News

PLANS to build a boatyard on an island in the Thames have been approved despite fierce opposition.

A 20-mooring boatyard will be built on historic Brandy Island, which used to house a brandy distillery, north of the village of Buscot near Faringdon.

Greg and Shirley Wheeler won planning permission to convert an old water treatment plant.

The couple, who own the site, currently run the boatyard at the Trout pub at Lechlade, but the landlord is planning to sell his lease.

Local artist Ellen Hopkins said: “We are flabbergasted.”

Richard Henderson, general manager of the National Trust for Oxfordshire, which owns Buscot, said: “We are extremely surprised and disappointed by this outcome.”

Vale of White Horse District gave permission on Wednesday.

Roger Cox, cabinet member for planning, said: “There were no material planning considerations against this application.”