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Sailors save Wych Marine
01 Oct 2007
District planning officers recommended approval, but the southern area development control committee voted to reject proposals by Chichester Harbour Conservancy to replace Wyche Marine with a new administrative office and meeting room.
The development was designed to support the conservancy's extensive and successful education work, which involves thousands of children.
But the application was refused on the grounds the scheme would be against a district council policy of safeguarding waterside sites for boat-related facilities.
Harbourmaster Lt Col John Davis said mooring and berthing facilities would remain. But now he is left wondering where his educational staff will be based when their agreement to use nearby Dell Quay Sailing Club runs out next spring.
He said nearby Dell Quay Marine could take on the 'tiny' amount of business handled by Wych Marine, which had a turnover of only £7,000 a year.
But objectors queued up to voice their opposition, with claims a historic business would be replaced by a 'sterile office block'.
