Plans have been submitted to the Isle of Wight council for a new houseboat to be moored at Bembridge Harbour.
Peter Mikkelsen is seeking permission to site a replacement houseboat at the location of the former houseboat ‘Petrenda’, which sank in August 2022.
A new approach to mooring
The applicant has worked with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Natural England to determine the best way to secure the new houseboat while addressing the challenges left by Petrenda’s footprint.
To stabilise the new houseboat, a steel frame will be installed beneath it. This frame will support four mooring poles and provide a level base for the vessel to rest on at low tide, ensuring it remains above the mudflat for up to six hours of the 12-hour tidal cycle.
A design in keeping with the area
The replacement houseboat, named ‘Avocet III’, has been designed with consideration for the surrounding area. Its dimensions and siting take into account the size of adjacent houseboats, as well as the location within a designated Conservation Area.
The new houseboat will measure 19.7 metres in length, excluding a low-level deck to the side and rear, and will have a width of 5.1 metres. The average height will be five metres. Like other houseboats in the area, it will float on the water and be secured by mooring poles and brackets.
Innovative materials for durability
A key design feature of ‘Avocet III’ is the use of compressed polystyrene for the hull, covered with a hard shell of polyurethane cement. This material choice is intended to prevent the common issues of corrosion and leakage that affect many steel-hulled houseboats.
Additionally, the proposed roof design will accommodate 27 solar panels. These will generate 5.4 megawatts of power, ensuring a sustainable energy supply for the houseboat.
View the plans
You can view the plans on the council’s planning register (25/00162/FUL).
The public consultation runs until Friday 14th Mar 2025, with a decision due by Monday 7th April 2025.
