A HISTORY group has urged a developer to keep part of its waterside site available for mooring boats and to rethink the design of planned homes.

The Harwich Society has written to the chief executive officer of Mann Lines about his bid to build more than 300 homes, employment space, food outlets, a market square and a new promenade walk on Navyard in Harwich.

The company plans to move from the quay and regenerate the area.

But trustees of the Harwich Society said: “We commented the town would benefit from additional berthing facilities for leisure craft.

“The proposed residential development of Navyard appears to preclude such uses and it will be important to design in the opportunity for marine activities at the outset - this is an important omission.

“Waterfront policy elsewhere such as at Maldon and Woodbridge have demonstrated the benefit to their towns of actively promoting marine uses on urban waterfront sites which otherwise tend to be squeezed out by residential market forces.”

Trustees praised the promenade walk and proposed new open space, but raised concerns over design.

In it’s newsletter, the society said: “Redevelopment needs to respect the scale and character of the Harwich Conservation Area.

“Sufficient design information will be required to demonstrate the scheme protects and enhances the character of the Harwich Conservation Area, including the setting of its listed buildings and historic skyline.

“The initial design concept for Navyard shown at the exhibition needs working up further as repetitive house types, street scenes and roof forms do not capture the essence of Harwich.

“The edges of the site are particularly sensitive and some of the proposed new buildings would be too dominant in relation to the setting of adjacent listed buildings.”

A public consultation was held on the provisional plan in September.

As yet no planning application has been put forward to Tendring Council.