COUNCILLORS have backed calls by thousands of campaigners to protect the future of The Groves in Chester.

The move comes after highly controversial plans to install a pontoon and barbecue ‘donut boats’ were recently blocked by the authority.

Navis MC had secured planning permission from Cheshire West and Chester’s planning committee in May, but in a separate decision the council – acting in its role as landowner – then threw out the plans.

A petition with 3,729 names was delivered to the council calling for The Groves public space and public moorings to be protected. Those behind the petition claimed the pontoon scheme was a breach of a 200-year-old covenant which stated that part of the riverside should be protected for people’s enjoyment.

And at last night’s meeting, members backed a motion tabled by Cllr Richard Beacham calling on the council to work with residents, businesses and local ward members to develop a sustainable vision for The Groves, which could be delivered as part of Chester’s refreshed One City Plan.

The petition said: “The Groves between the private moorings have been protected for over 200 years from commercial uses. The council need to commit to that continued protection.”

It included a number of measures, such as:

A review of facilities including toilets.

A solution for the long-standing issues at the Recorders Steps.

Re-painting of the bleachers and other seating areas.

Opportunities to enhance the use of the river for activities like canoeing and paddleboarding.

A land management plan for the area between the suspension bridge and the Dee Bridge on both sides of the river.

Speaking at the meeting held at Chester Race Course Pavilion, Cllr Beacham added: “The covenants date back to a different time in our city’s history.

“They represent something important about protection of public open space so that people can continue to enjoy it far into the future. It’s a very simple but powerful concept, we’re all the beneficiaries of this covenant.”

He added: “This petition is asking us as a council what we can do to ensure this protection is maintained for future generations.”

Cllr Neil Sullivan, who along with ward colleague Cllr Razia Daniels called in the original barbecue boats application due to concerns regarding the development’s impact on public interest, said he was ‘bemused’ at how the plan had made it so far through the planning process.

But added: “I’m pleased that some common sense has prevailed and the council has decided the proposed development will not go ahead with this agreement.”