Residents living in homes overlooking the Thames have hit out at “extortionate” five-figure charges for having a balcony.
Homeowners are furious at the charges imposed by the Port of London Authority (PLA), with some accusing the body to hiking the annual fee by as much as £10,000 in recent years.
The row broke out amid a public inquiry being held into efforts by the PLA to update decades-old legislation which governs the way it manages the river.
The PLA traditionally levied “peppercorn” charges for balconies overhanging the Thames, but they were generally replaced with much higher fees in the 90s and 2000s.
The authority has defended the move, saying the charges are in line with other cities while pointing out that they also apply to properties with balconies overlooking parks and other public amenities.
However, Simon Anthony, who represents a number of flat owners living along the Thames, accused the PLA of having “unchecked powers” leading to the huge hike in charges for balconies.
He accused the PLA of “abusing its considerable powers unchecked for decades”, and even bringing a private criminal prosecution in an attempt to extract more money from river residents.
“It’s been charging residents ever more extortionate amounts for their balconies, rainwater outfalls and disused ‘campsheds’, all of which it dubiously classifies as commercial ‘works’.
“These charges are so inflated, for example, that residents with balconies are now paying more per square metre than their flats are worth and 10 times more per square metre of river than is paid by the hugely profitable London Eye.”
He continued: “The PLA claims these charges are ‘fair’ but refuses to provide any credible justification. It’s a completely unaccountable body with no government control and no ombudsman or regulator and the last thing residents want is for it to grant itself even more powers.”
The three-week public inquiry was sparked by objections to the PLA’s bid to update the Port of London Act 1968, which governs the way it manages the river, by way of something called a Harbour Revision Order (HRO).
David Beaumont, representing the Organisation of PLA Customers, said: “Their 2025 Harbour revision Order (HRO) is a power grab, significantly increasing the legal privileges they arranged for themselves in 1968 but this time without the inconvenience of having to go through Parliament.”
Ralph Hardwick, who represents 668 people in the River Residents Group, said in his opening statement to the inquiry: “The HRO seeks more power and revenue for the PLA while declining to strengthen its engagement with pollution arising from the use of the Thames by the vessels it permits and licenses or its transparency and accountability.
“The PLA claims its aim is to leave the Thames better than it found it and we applaud that aim. But we say that this is not the HRO for that task.”
He added: “The Thames is not just a legal jurisdiction. It’s a living, breathing ecosystem in urgent need of care.”
A Port of London Authority spokesperson said: “The Port of London is the UK’s biggest port and busiest inland waterway. It is essential to the country’s growth, bringing in goods from around the globe. It is also a hub for environmental innovation and home to river communities.
“In 2019, the PLA proposed measures to modernise the 60-year-old Port of London Act under which we operate. Proposals include adding email as an accepted form of communication, removing outdated roles and responsibilities that haven’t been relevant for many years, and reflecting changes in environmental legislation and agencies.
“The Harbour Revision Order does not contain any proposals relating to the amount charged for apartment balconies overhanging the River Thames.
“The process has been running and consulted on over the last six years, and we welcome this final stage to help finalise updates to protect and improve the tidal Thames for all - including people with balconies over the river - and enable us to support the UK’s growth, as modern operations and cutting-edge technology accelerate the changes in trade and shipping traffic.
“For several months we have been offering to sit down with balcony owners to talk about how we charge for property over the Thames and that offer remains open.”
