BOATERS feared they could be forced out of the city after it was revealed plans to curb unauthorised mooring could see them having to move their homes every three days.

Oxford City Council's public space protection order could lead to boaters having to relocate every 48 or 72 hours to avoid fines of up to £1,000, according to documents released under the Freedom of Information Act.

Landowners such as a number of Oxford University colleges, the Environment Agency and Network Rail have all supported the order, in its draft form, and will decide what regulations to impose within its boundaries.

Some areas of the city, currently unregulated but home to boaters, could even be hit with a 48-hour mooring limit with no return within 28 days.

City councillor Colin Cook, who helped develop the PSPO, hoped the move would free up boating space but boaters said it was clear they were unwanted in the city and were being driven out.

Cassi Perry, who used to live on a narrowboat in Oxford before moving to Banbury, said the revelations would drive key workers from the city.

The former Rape Crisis centre worker said: "If you work a full-time job and live on a boat in Oxford you would have to move home every 72 hours and not just 100 yards down the canal.

"That's once every three days – it's not conducive to having a family or staying in Oxford and as a result people will leave."

Ms Perry said a lack of permanent mooring spaces and the proposed regulations had forced her out of Oxford.

She said: "I have moved to Banbury already and I'm looking for another job and I know that quite a lot of University researchers and nurses have already left."

"It's social intervention - it's clear they don't want boaters here."

The documents, released following a request from boating campaign group PSPnO, also showed a number of "hotspots" for unregulated live-in boaters were identified with a view to 48-hour visiting limits being introduced.

Those living in popular areas on the River Thames – such as near the Trout pub, behind Abbey Road leading up to Botley Road, and from Folly Bridge to Hertford College boat house – could be required to relocate once every two days.

Earlier this week the city council and Thames Valley Police began enforcing the waterways by evicting two groups of people living on land near Castle Mill Stream because they did not have any toilet facilities.

The stream from the southern end of William Lucy Way to Hythe Bridge Street was also identified as a hotspot and an area where no mooring should be allowed at all.

Boater Edward Surridge, who moors his boat on that stretch said, said: "We are in a situation where many people cannot find living accommodation in the city.

"Poor people are being looked on as an unsightly convenience for others and by the council.

"The council made a number of people homeless earlier this week.

"We are a small community here but the council is neglecting its responsibilities."

The council's PSPO draft order is expected to be discussed by the city executive board in October before going out to wider consultation.

As well as the mooring restrictions the order would ban people obstructing paths or the waterways, putting up structures or leaving rubbish and failing to control dogs.

Labour city councillor Colin Cook, who helped develop the waterways PSPO, said: "We are not targeting any groups in particular we are trying to address problems with the whole waterways systems.

"The 72 hour limit I think will actually increase the number of spaces for boaters on the waterways.

"Continuous cruising is all about moving around, permanent mooring spaces is a finite resource but 72 hour limits will free up some spaces.

He added: "A number of landowners who currently don't allow mooring may open up spaces if the controls are there to enforce a 72-hour limit."