Plans for new boat moorings by an historic home in a York village have been refused.
An application to put the three moorings by Hall Garth, a home on the River Ouse in Acaster Malbis, was refused by City of York Council planning officers.
Plans stated the moorings would replace dilapidated ones which had been removed and would sitting comfortably within the wider area.
But council planning officers ruled steps, walls and a gate also included in the plans failed to respect the surrounding rural area which is in the green belt.
The application from Mr and Mrs Cossins would have seen the moorings installed by the river next to the garden of the Grade II-listed Hall Garth, off Mill Lane.
Three wooden moorings were there when the current owners bought the home but they had become increasingly dilapidated due to poor construction and a lack of maintenance.
Plans would have seen new moorings installed on pontoons designed to rise and fall with the level of the river.
Ramps would connect them to walled steps which have already being built and lead up to a footpath.
Plans stated the moorings would be used by boats up to around 9m-long.
They added there were several other moorings along the river bank in an area used recreationally by boat owners.
Plans stated: “The reinstatement of moorings on the site is a comfortable and appropriate use and reinforces the local characteristics of the area.”
Council planning officers stated the moorings themselves would preserve the openness of the green belt.
But they added the steps, which feature decorative pillars were not in keeping with the rest of the mostly open riverbank with some light fencing.
Officers stated: “This aspect of the proposals constitutes inappropriate development in the green belt which by definition is harmful to the green belt.
“The proposed ancillary structures, the gate and fencing, have an urbanising effect and give a cluttered domestic appearance to the rural setting of the Grade II-listed building, which is also harmful.”
