Severely disabled sailor William Hawthorne has accused councillors of sinking his sailing hopes by barring him from boarding his boat – because it is 4ft too long

Kingswear Parish Council has rejected the 82-year-old cryptographer's plea to be able to tie up his boat on the parish's pontoon at Waterhead Creek so that he can get on and off his 18ft motorboat.

Mr Hawthorne, who suffers from the inherited nervous system disorder, Charcot Marie Tooth's disease, said he sails as part of his therapy – and he hoped to be able to use his boat to take disabled youngsters out on the river.

The council has so far refused to consult with Mr Hawthorne over his moorings plea and advised him to contact the Dartsailability organisation involved in sailing for the disabled instead.

The decision has angered Mr Hawthorne who said the council's refusal to even consult with him was 'insulting'.

And he added: 'When first I needed to use a mobility scooter seven years ago, a gang of Dartmouth youths used to shout "Cripple" at me from across the street.

'Paralympic 2012 shows how far we have progressed. So I suppose I should be grateful to Kingswear Parish Council that they are not being abusive, merely condescending.'

Mr Hawthorne moved to Dartmouth 13 years ago and has been living in Kingswear for the last seven years.

He suffers from an incurable condition which results in a progressive loss of muscle tissue and touch sensation.

Mr Hawthorne said he had stopped using his boat and brought her ashore because of problems boarding the craft until the council set up the pontoon on Waterhead Creek.

Mr Hawthorne, who uses a mobility scooter, wants permission to be able to keep his boat called Bamenda moored in the creek but attached by line to the council pontoon so he can pull the boat in to board it.

But the council has told him his boat is 4ft longer and 2ft wider than the limit it has imposed on boats mooring to the pontoon.

Mr Hawthorne claims that hardly any craft moor to the pontoon and his boat would not create an 'obstruction' or a 'nuisance' if he was allowed to tie it up the way he is asking.

He told the council: 'One of my plans for Bamenda is to use it to give a day out for any Down's Syndrome boy accompanied by a parent. Although this is not the main issue, it is nevertheless an opportunity for the council to support a worthwhile cause.'

And he said he would be prepared to put a sticker on the boat stating his level of disability to prevent the council setting any 'precedent'.

The council met last week and the parish clerk has sent a letter to Mr Hawthorne spelling out the councillors reasons behind their decision.

The letter said: 'It was recognised that boating gives you a valuable therapy. But, with regret, the council concluded that Bamenda, being 4ft in length and over 2ft in width greater than the permitted size, was not a suitable craft to moor on the creek pontoon, being too large.

'They did not feel that a consultation, which you have mentioned to me in conversation, was necessary as they have the remit to make a decision on the craft.

'The sizes for craft were carefully considered at the time the pontoon was put in place for reasons of wind, age, manoeuvrability, impact on other users and the environment. It is accepted that the facility does not have boats moored alongside it, at present, but it was considered that the size of Bamenda is an issue.

'The facility is used as a safe platform for the rowing club children and school children. It will also now be advertised as the new gangway is in place.

'The parish council is keen to include all as far as possible in the facilities provided, but it was felt that your current craft is simply unsuitable for the position.

'It was suggested that if you have not have already done so you may wish to consult with the organisation Dartsailability locally (details on their website), who would be able to advise you on the suitability of craft and the position (creek pontoon) for your needs. The parish council would welcome a written report from them on any advice given, if of assistance to you.'

But Mr Hawthorne was adamant: 'Bamenda is not too large to moor on the pontoon, because it is not being moored on the pontoon. Only one cleat of the pontoon is being used.'