Hobbs of Henley win planning permission for accessible ramps

Hobbs of Henley applied to South Oxfordshire District Council, the planning authority, for accessible ramps down to an existing area of pontoons at the Red Lion mooring point off Thames Side.

The company already has level access with the river but wanted to make it easier and safer for disabled people to access.

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Thames Side Henley (Google)

Plans include three timber and metal structures, two of the ramps fixed and one hinged to the floating mooring to adapt to the water level and to fold away when not in use.

However, Henley Town Council objected to the plans three times due to the “impact on the character” of the area and the “impact on traffic”.

Speaking at a planning meeting last night (17), district and town councillor Ken Arlett said: “It recommended refusal due to the impact of the proposal on the character the area, adverse impact on the adjacent moorings, associated traffic, and notably a disabled ramp in this location is not necessary as there is already adequate provision nearby.”

He added that the nearest accessible mooring was “at the end of riverside south” towards Mill Meadows, a quarter of a mile away.  

Despite these concerns, district councillors approved the mooring point saying that disabled accessibility should be “fundamental” in everything they do.

Councillor Tim Bearder said: “We should be clamouring to increase disabled accessibility.

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Site plans (R Sharples & Associates)

“It should be fundamental in everything we do, especially in instances where it isn't damaging or harming anything around it.”

Councillor Alexandrine Kantor added: “I'm quite in favour for more accessibility. I understand that there are some other facilities that may be accessible but we need to give them the activity of choice as well.

“I think disabled people have a right to have accessible access everywhere and perhaps I'm conflicted because I'm disabled as well, even if it's not physically, it's just many things in life are not accessible and I don't think it was not much to make life better for everyone.”

Councillor Sam Casey-Rerhaye said: “I've just come back from a week of going on a boat with my father who's 92 and has great mobility issues.

“So actually I really do understand that getting these sorts of access to leisure facilities are really important for people who don't have great mobility - the difference between a [ramp] and stairs is really important.

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“But to allow more people to enjoy the river is something I think should be encouraged”.

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland, she joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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