A boater living at Bristol harbour has shared photos of their living conditions in response to the mayor's recent description of dock dwellers as the ‘privileged few’, alleging some were abusing the system to live cheaply in the city centre. Marvin Rees made the comments in defence of a controversial hike in permit fees for mooring in the city’s old docks, which have caused outrage among people who use boats on the harbour.
One resident told Bristol Live that although they have a leisure mooring, for the past decade they have stayed on the boat for more than the maximum 15 nights per year that the licence permits - without any issue. who The boater, who has asked to remain anonymous, said they would be happy to pay higher mooring fees in exchange for better facilities and services.
According to the mayor, out of the scores of people living in houseboats on the water, there are only eight boats with a residential licence, as there are just eight permanent moorings available. He has called those living in boats without paying council tax or without the right permits a ‘privileged few’, and said that the time has come for them to pay a fair amount in line with other cities in the UK.
