Chealsea Reach Harbour ‘megaboats’ served notice to leave
By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter
Two large ‘megaboats’ at Chelsea Reach Harbour have been served an eviction notice after a west London council doubled down on its plans to get rid of them because they reportedly spoiled the view.
Kensington and Chelsea council officers handed The Zephyr and The Pacifica the notice on Wednesday.
Both have eight months to permanently move unless an appeal is lodged by June 19. The leaseholder, Chelsea Yacht and Boat Company, has been contacted for comment.
It comes after councillors re-approved the eviction during a meeting on Tuesday evening. They had been asked to review an earlier decision to boot the boats after one left voluntarily.
Gerard Hargreaves, ward councillor for Chelsea Riverside, said he supported the move. He said: “Chelsea Riverside is a uniquely beautiful neighbourhood on London’s iconic riverside and enforcement notices have now been served against these mega-boats, which are no way in keeping with the landscape.
“The community has felt very strongly that action should be taken – a position I have supported, along with my fellow ward councillors. I have admired the community’s resilience, dignity and perseverance throughout the process.”
A spokesman for the Chelsea Yacht and Boat Company said that no planning breach had occurred.
He said: “This decision, taken by a small group of councillors against the advice of RBKC’s [Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea] own officers, leader and legal experts, puts taxpayer funds at serious risk because, as the council leader has warned, any enforcement action would leave the council open to challenge at appeal, including a cost challenge.
“We would question why this small group of councillors are proceeding with this dispute against the backdrop of wider financial pressures.
“RBKC’s own leader, planning team and expert legal advisors have confirmed three times now that no planning breach has occurred.”
Three large boats – The Iris, The Pacifica and The Zephyr – were introduced to the moorings between June and September 2023 (Picture: Kensington & Chelsea council)
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