NO preferential treatment will be given to locals on the waiting list for a river mooring, Dart Harbour has decided.

It said it had discussed the issue of giving priority to locals at length but it had been decided to continue with the current policy.

Nevertheless this will be kept under close review for the future and further public consultation on this will take place again in 2020.

The announcement comes as the harbour’s draft moorings policy is out for the second stage of public consultation.

Following input from questionnaires and consultation events, the harbour board has agreed no significant changes are necessary to the moorings policy. But the text has been improved, both in terms of clarity and brevity to make it easier to understand.

The policy addresses the historical background and statutory reasons behind Dart Harbour as licensing authority, it outlines the current situation for all moorings in the river and describes how Dart Harbour will deal with its own berths, private tackle moorings and also refers to strategic issues that include applications for development within harbour limits.

Board member Jan Scott said: ‘The policy seeks to balance the substantial demand for moorings that has led to the development of long and often slow moving waiting lists, with the requirements of navigation, optimisation of the use of the harbour and the conservation and environmental enhancement of the Dart.

‘The authority is committed to having open and fair policies to try to ensure that the unique character of the Dart is maintained not just for current users but also for generations to come.

‘The effect of these policies is that only a very limited, if any, increase in the number of moorings might occur in the future and any increases would be in strictly defined areas.’

Dart Harbour has about 1,400 permanent moorings and 200 visitors’ moorings together with swinging, trot moorings, pontoon berths, running moorings and mud berth moorings.

Three surgeries are being held at the harbour office so members of the public can meet board members and have an opportunity to ask questions.

The first was taking place today from 11.30am-3.30pm, and subsequently on Saturday, June 18, from 10am-4pm, and Wednes­day, June 22, from 11.30am-3.30pm.

The closing date for feedback from members of the public is Friday, June 24, and it is anticipated that the new policy will be approved for publication at the July board meeting.

Please email [email protected] with your comments.

The draft policy and related documents are available to view at www.dartharbour.org.