WINCHESTER Collage wants to extend its boat house by the River Itchen to accommodate its new female students. 

Mark Rides, assistant works bursar at the college, submitted the planning application which includes the removal of two trees. 

The college, which charges more than £49,000 per year, started admitting girls to the sixth form as day students in September 2022. This means they have to extend their facilities at the boat house, in Domum Road, Wharf Hill, to provide showers and changing rooms. 

The plans include the removal of an ash and a sycamore, both of which are said to be in poor condition. A hedgerow will be planted on the northern boundary to replace them.

No objections or supporting comments had been submitted by Monday, April 1. Should the scheme be permitted, construction work is estimated to take place over July and August. 

READ MORE: Trinity Winchester submits plans to create new rooms

In the planning statement to the city council, it said: “The boat house extension has been designed to match the appearance of the existing 1930s boat house, with a reduced roof height compared to the existing to be more visually recessive. 

“Therefore, the extension is expected to complement the landscape and heritage value of the surrounding area, including the adjacent South Downs National Park. 

“To compensate for the removal of two trees at the site, the college will plant a managed hedgerow along the northern boundary, consisting of a mix of native species such as dog rose, hawthorn, hazel, crab apple, and dogwood. The ash is showing evidence of ash dieback and therefore has an unknown life expectancy, while the sycamore is suppressed with ivy and etiolated. 

“The extension will ensure the long-term viability of the building. Surface water from the extension would be discharge to the mains sewer.

“Overall, the proposal is considered consistent with the relevant policy. No other material considerations have been identified that would suggest that the proposed development in this location would be inappropriate and the council is therefore requested to grant planning consent for the proposed boat house extension.”

For more details about the planning application, search 24/00647/FUL on Winchester City Council's online planning portal.