Salterns
Marina Ltd is pursuing court action against Poole Borough Council with the
support of three Poole harbour marine businesses over Poole Quay Boat Haven
being allowed to accommodate boats for long periods. 

Together,
four businesses being Salterns Marina Ltd, Marina Developments Ltd, Davis’s
Boatyard and Dorset Lake Shipyard Ltd claim the Poole Quay Boat Haven, now
owned by Poole Harbour Commissioners is being utilised in breach of the
original planning agreement.

This agreement was signed in January 2000 by Poole Borough Council,
Poole Harbour Commissioners and Poole & District Fishermen’s Association, and stated that from April to October all of the berths must be available
for ‘visiting vessels’.

The
claimants are seeking a judicial review at the High Court London as to what
constitutes a ‘visiting vessel’.

The group’s solicitor,
Paul Thomas said: ‘We are asking the judge for a definition of what the words
‘visiting vessel’ mean. A High Court judge has already indicated it
is not a three month rolling contract.’

A
short hearing is due on 24 May, at which they hope the High Court will allow
them to proceed to a full hearing later in 2013.

John
Smith, managing director of Salterns Marina Ltd said: ‘I want the visitor’s haven to be
operating for visitors, so it’s a busy, vibrant facility which benefits the
whole of Poole.’

Eamonn
Feeney, managing director of Marina Developments Ltd, which owns Cobbs Quay said: ‘We are a
group of local business people who have been forced to go to court to get
common sense and fair play restored. We hope the judge sees it the way we do.’

Robin
Culpan, director of Dorset Lake Shipyard Ltd said: ‘Other south coast marinas
had restrictions of a week or slightly longer for visiting yachts. There are so many
permanent boats in there.’

Lorraine
Murdoch, a partner in Davis’s Boatyard said they had fought against a large
marina 31 years ago, and added: ‘Because of it ruining all our businesses. Here we are
fighting it again.’

Jim
Stewart, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners is quoted as saying
that they were in talks with the Borough of Poole and other parties to try to
find a solution.

Further
updates will follow.

(Picture: L to R – Malcolm Shakesby MBE, Rodney Pattison, Dave Wilson – Regional Director MDL, John Smith – MD Salterns Marina Ltd, Eamonn Feeney – MD of Marina Developments Ltd, Front: Robin Culpan – Director Dorset Lake Shipyard Ltd, Lorraine Murdoch – Partner Davis’s Boatyard)