Royal Docks yacht extension deferred

However, one of the conditions was the boat would limit its stay to five years and Sunborn decided to appeal that decision.

The Development Committee was due to decide on Wednesday but chose to defer its decision to "further consider representations".

In a pre-committee report, council officers had recommended the request be turned down.

It said the area was not suitable for long term occupancy and a short term lease would give it time to find a more permanent location on the docks.

The report stated that allowing permission for the yacht to stay for 15 years should be refused on grounds of "visual appearance", it being "overbearing" and for the impact on the adjacent Royal Victoria Square.

It added: "A shorter period was only considered acceptable because it would allow the council to fully assess and monitor the overall impact of the proposal on the character of the surrounding area."

Sunborn International had argued it would take two years to fully commission the vessel thereby giving it only three years at the location next to the Excel.

The application was advertised in November and attracted two objections, both critical of the yacht's looming arrival.

There was also an 88 signature petition against the proposal.

Sunborn International said the yacht will bring 80 full time jobs.

The company previously had a yacht based at the other end of Excel, which was later sold to the Nigerian government.