A Broads based marina is hoping to carry out an revamp which includes creating 15 residential moorings.
Under the proposals, Somerleyton Marina, located on the UK’s river Waveney between St Olaves and Oulton Broad, will also upgrade its existing pontoons and parking area.
The Somerleyton estate, which owns the marina is seeking permission from the Broads Authority to carry out the works.
The marina currently consists of a mooring basin and a long-established boatyard business.
Due to its location that is remote from many of the more popular spots on the Broads it does not attract as many pleasure craft, so the area has become principally for boat storage, according to planning documents.
The Somerleyton estate believes the quiet surroundings will instead make it a good location for residential moorings.
Under the plans, these would be on the western side of the marina basin, away from the boatyard buildings and activities.
“The residential moorings will bring more life to the marina,” said the Somerleyton estate in a statement.
Residential moorings
And the estate said the the new moorings will be an important step forward in improving the marina and boatyard’s visibility.
It will also help support local facilities.
The estate also belives the moorings will provide a more secure income for the site than it currently generates, alongside providing funds to improve the boatyard and support Somerleyton Hall, the stately home at the heart of the 5,000-acre estate.
Successful residential moorings will also help a potential new shop to become established.
Parking spaces will be provided for each mooring and the existing pontoons will be upgraded to accommodate the residential moorings.
The marina will not be extended – instead the owners have stated that the moorings can be accommodated through changing the format of the existing marina.
An existing office building could be converted to an amenity block for those living at the residential moorings.
The application is being considered by Broads Authority officials.
