The Broads Authority has granted permission to a local town council to divide up a series of existing moorings along the River Yare for different purposes.

Eastern Daily Press: Thorpe River Green, Norwich. Picture by SIMON FINLAY.Thorpe River Green, Norwich. Picture by SIMON FINLAY.

Thorpe St Andrew Town Council had applied to the authority to change the use of the moorings at Thorpe River Green to mixed use.

This included:

n 43 metres at the eastern end of the Green to be designated for commercial moorings;

n 75 metres in the central area as short stay moorings; and

Eastern Daily Press: Relaxing in the warm weather at Thorpe River GreenPicture by SIMON FINLAY.Relaxing in the warm weather at Thorpe River GreenPicture by SIMON FINLAY.

n 100 metres at the western end for private lease.

The area is a popular public open space and contains a war memorial and a number of paths and benches for recreational use. The moorings had been managed by the Broads Authority but were transferred to the council this year. They have mooring posts and safety chains and ladders in place.

A number of objections to the application were put forward, most of which related to the private moorings.

Concerns were raised that the mooring of privately owned boats would restrict the navigable width of the river, that the private moorings would detract from the recreational potential of Thorpe River Green, that privately moored boats would obstruct views of the river from Thorpe River Green and that they would also impede access to the river for other users.

The application was taken before the Broads Authority's Navigation Committee on October 19 for consideration.

The committee resolved to support the application with the condition that there was no stern on or double moorings and that the private moorings were not used for residential purposes.

The matter was brought before the authority's planning committee on November 10. Planning officer Alison Cornish said the river frontage at Thorpe River Green had been used for mooring since 1920.

She said no residential moorings would be permitted, which would be policed by the town council, and that the application was in accordance with policies.

A BA report on the matter stated: 'In conclusion it is considered that the use of the existing moorings along the river frontage of Thorpe River Green in the way proposed by the town council is acceptable.'

The committee voted in favour of the application subject to conditions.