A planning application by the former chair of the Sustainable Development Roundtable has been rejected on appeal for being significantly larger in scale than permitted.Ianthia Wade had submitted an application to install two floating docks at a private residence at 225 Middle Road, Southampton.If approved, the total area of the dock site would have been more than four times larger than allowed under the Bermuda Plan 2008.Efforts to contact Mrs Wade regarding this story have been unsuccessful.The application, submitted on March 23, 2012, sought final approval for the installation of two 256 sq ft floating docks with a 24 sq ft ramp connecting them to the existing dock.According to a report by planning Inspector Brian Field, dated March 12 this year, a 480 sq ft concrete dock already exists on the site.As a result, the total area of the dock site would have been 1,016 sq ft. According to the Bermuda Plan 2008, the maximum threshold for such a development in the area would be 250 sq ft.While the Development Applications Board does have discretion to allow for larger dock sizes than otherwise permitted for “appropriate non-residential uses”, the board refused planning permission on October 31, 2012, due to the proposal’s size and visual impact.Mrs Wade subsequently appealed the decision. Mr Field wrote in the report that the appellant argued in submissions that the project is appropriate for its location and in keeping with the pattern of marine development in the area.The applicant also noted that the size and location of the docks are the minimum necessary to achieve three feet of clearance at low tide and accommodate the water-based recreational needs of the property’s residents.Mr Field however recommended that the appeal be refused, writing: “Whilst I have some sympathy with the appellant’s dilemma, it is noteworthy that the existing dock already exceeds requirements as set out [in] the 2008 Bermuda Plan.“Adding the floating docks would simply exacerbate the extent of non-compliance with prevailing standards and facilitate mooring more boats than one would normally expect in such circumstances, which I am persuaded is clearly excessive when compared with existing residential and domestic needs.”Minister of Environment and Planning Sylvan Richards subsequently refused the appeal, agreeing with the inspector’s recommendation.An earlier proposal for the same site sought permission for three floating docks representing a total of 768 sq ft in addition to the existing dock. That application was refused in 2010 due to its size and impact on existing moorings.