Plans for another marina in the Braunston area have been turned down by the local council.
In an eight votes to one decision, the Planning Committee of Daventry District Council has refused planning permission construct the 200-berth Water Tower Marina at Barby Lane, near Braunston. on the northern section of the Oxford Canal.
T
he plans included 85 car parking spaces, landscaping and associated facilities, and the change of use of an agricultural dwelling and barn to mixed use for chandlery, reception and storage.
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- Napton Locks
Although backed by the Canal & River Trust (CRT) the proposals were opposed by many other waterside interests in the area who campaigned against it.Their view was that it would over-saturate the area with moorings, for which there is now insufficient demand, and cause even longer queues on the busy lock flights in the locality especially at the Napton flight.
The Council’s planning committee stated that “the proposal would result in harm to the character and appearance of the canal conservation area and its landscape setting, due to the cumulative impact resulting from its relationship to other marina developments in the locality”.
One councillor asked – “How can this canal support another 200 boats on top of the 550 at Onley Marina which has yet to be built?” She said – “It will become the M25 of the canals”. Criticism was also expressed about the stance of the CRT in this matter.
Thanks to Harry Arnold and Waterway Images for this report and photo.
