Officers from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) have been conducting ‘pre-investigation’ inspections of houseboats in Bembridge claiming that offences may have been committed, which has unsurprisingly upset locals.
Homeowners were alerted to the presence of 5 or 6 officers on Friday morning (17th January) when it was noticed that the government officials were taking photographs of the houseboats on Embankment Road.
When quizzed by concerned locals, the officials told the residents that the MMO suspects offences may have been committed due to structures entering the marine environment – namely ‘spud legs’, walkways and other superstructures- which requires a fee-bearing licence.
Homeowners have stated that spud legs and such structures have been in place for ‘donkey’s years’ and a lawful development certificate was granted by the Isle of Wight Council last year.
One houseboat owner has told Island Echo that they are outraged at being accused of committing a crime on their own doorstep. It is said to be a feeling shared amongst other residents.
It is claimed that one of the officials entered private land to take photographs, but the MMO says this was not the case.
An MMO spokesperson has this week said:
“MMO officers visited Bembridge to carry out pre-investigation enquiries relating to marine licensing requirements for house boats. The area attended is a public area and there was no entry onto private property without invitation.
Article continues below this advertisement “We are in the preliminary stages of our enquires and are unable to comment further at this time”.
Members of the local houseboat residents association are set to meet shortly to discuss the situation.
There is always someone (UK GOV/POLICE) trying to disrupt a peaceful community with some rule/tax/fine without any recompense for the targeted _ My answer was found online – Don’t Protest, Pollute – I have done so now for many years after what happened to me! DON’T PROTEST POLLUTE!
If he wants to stand there and pose to the camera like some kind of hard case why blank his face out!
Alister – Hang on a minute – it might me the Duke of Sussex – If it is he would try to sue (institute legal proceedings against) whoever took the photograph.
it looks like a gipsy site along that road
Filthy smelly mud, flies in summer, shanty town building opposite, and close to a road. The boats are sideways to the sea views, no gardens. Cold water eroding your home daily.
Everything rusts, or gets mouldy, parking on scrub land and mud opposite.
Huge fees and strict regs on what you can and can’t do.
YOU won’t read any of this in estate agents blubs.
Avoid
H
Az-zahra Aziz theses are Peoples homes and investments you are talking about, you May not like to live there but they might not like where you live either!
Mich, I must say I don’t seem as popular in my street as i once did. Yet I will continue to try to help people with issues, as long as they follow my advise.
Do they pay residential rates?
Are they pumping sewage?
Houseboats pay band A rates. Fabulous place to live. Houseboats have been in harbour,
For many decades and there are hull remains along towards Bembridge outboards.
A few discharge into harbour, however after a survey years ago, there was more bird and fertiliser
Acids etc and no trace of human! There should be more around harbour with some standards of upkeep to adhere too.