Opinions over whether a seafront office should be allowed to remain temporarily were aired during a site visit.

Queenborough Harbour Trust has applied for retrospective permission to keep its structure on Crundells Wharf, off the town’s North Road, until June 6, 2016.

The structure provides a look-out on to the moorings, and consists of a grey portable cabin atop a shipping container that is used to store tackle.

It was installed in December 2012 after pharmaceuticals firm Aesica, which owns the land, gave it the go-ahead.

Swale council’s planners delayed a decision about whether to grant permission until after a site visit on Wednesday.

A final decision could be made during a meeting tonight (Thursday).

FOR

Speaking in favour of the application at the meeting was director of Queenborough Harbour Trust, Marco Devereux.

He said: “It’s not beautiful, but serves its purpose to provide a look-out above flood level.”

He said the trust would be working with the council to transform the toilet block in nearby Elephant Park into a permanent base within three years.

Mr Devereux added: “In the mean time a temporary harbour look-out is essential for the customer focus of the harbour.”

Betty Allsworth, trustee of the community centre Castle Connections, said: “Three years is a long time in some people’s eyes but not if you are trying to get funding for something.

“This harbour can flourish if we give them a little bit of leeway and I urge you to think of the alternative to this if you make Queenborough Harbour Trust divert itself from its purpose.”

Graham Mason, of High Street, said: “We know this thing is not a thing of beauty but if you refuse permission you are likely to seriously damage the harbour trust and its volunteers.

“The moorings will collapse completely as a facility for people and their boats.”

AGAINST

Jackie Constable, a Queenborough Town and Swale councillor, said: “When this monstrosity went up many people contacted us by email and telephone to say that they did not like this structure.

“After making investigations we found it didn’t have consent.

“Three years is an awful long time and many residents are still complaining and complaining about this.

“I have every sympathy with the harbour trust and I understand they need to be up and running but this office is not what residents want.”

Queenborough Town councillor Joy Christmas said: “I still think it would have been better if it had been put behind the wall as I thought they were going to do.”

Maurice Smith, of Queenborough Mooring Holders’ Association, raised the question of how often the office was actually manned.

Objections have also been raised about the loss of land, which members of the public use to park their cars.

Former town mayor Carol Stewart, of the town council, said she has received many complaints from people not just in Queenborough.

She added that the office would interfere with the annual Blessing of the Waters service on Crundells Wharf.