Another new marina in doubt

AFTER the refusal to grant planning permission for the new marina at Lantham on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, another seems in jeopardy, this time on the Stratford Canal.

Villagers at Lowsonford on the Stratford Canal have now formed the Lowsonford Anti Marina Group, and last week circulated around 500 homes calling for supporters, with a great many promising to fight the plans for a marina, Alan Tilbury reports.

Planning permission has been sought for a 106 berth marina on the waterway at Lowsonford, near Lock 31 (picture by upthecut.co.uk) it was revealed last week, which has prompted quick action from local residents.

James Kidler promised:

"There is going to be a fight, for there is no way they [landowners] and going to get away with this. This is a peaceful village tucked away, and we are not having the noise and activity of 100 boats literally on our doorstep."

Eileen Walker, a narrowboatworld reader living in the area told us:

"I organise walks on the canal on a regular basis, and if those boats moored above the village are anything to go by, with all the junk and litter around them and noise of engines, then we don't want a marina full of them."

The proposed development is for a two acres marina on a 6.7-acre site belonging to local landowners, but it would be only 150 yards from the village hall. Also it would encroach onto the local conservation area defined as being 'of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance'.