Longford canal marina scheme given go-ahead by planners

[dutchman]

Innovative plans for a marina in Coventry were unanimously approved by councillors this afternoon.



The development - which is on the site of a former electric power station off Aldermans Green Road - would see a 225-berth canal boat marina built, along with 24 houses, a cafe, offices, a boat club and 35 small warehousing units.

The application - for land near Sutton Stop - was submitted by TIS Worldwide Ltd.

Although the land is in the green belt, councillors felt that the job creation and other benefits of the proposal outweighed the harm to ecology and to the green belt, this would amount to the ‘very special circumstances’ that would allow building in the area.

The three ward councillors for Longford all supported the scheme, partly because the scruffy patch of land had been a magnet for anti-social behaviour over the years. West Midlands Police observed that there have been incidents of drug taking, fly tipping, safe breaking and that fires were often set in the area.

When the proposals were being debated, Coun Gary Crookes (Con, Wainbody) said: “I think this is an acceptable development on green belt land.

“One thing that makes me lean towards that is that although this may be the green belt, we have heard about anti-social behaviour going on there.

“This is a very, very poor Green Belt environment. I think this project will be an asset to the area and to the city as a whole.”

Councillors were asked to consider objections based on the ecology of the area.

They were told that: “the majority of the site has significant interest for nature conservation and is a designated local wildlife site.”

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust objected to the development on the basis that the site is noted for a high diversity of species - mainly birds and invertebrates.

But Coun Roger Bailey (Con, Cheylesmore) said: “The place is a dump in some parts. Something needs to be done about it, and this is a refreshing idea that we should support.

“It opens up an area that is currently closed off and we should be encouraging that. The marina is a pretty big project, but it’s exciting.”

His view was supported by Coun John McNicholas (Lab, Lower Stoke) who said: “Last time we had a project as innovative as this, it was called the Ricoh Arena.

“This site has been derelict for a considerable length of time and the marina is a very imaginative scheme.”

[dutchman]

Old power station site is back on the market - and it could be yours for just £5m



The site of a former power station in Aldermans Green is on the market for around £5million.

The land in Aldermans Green Road, near Sutton Stop, was given planning permission to be transformed into an “imaginative” canal marina complex in July 2014.

Rural estate agents Fisher German are marketing the 30 acre site as a “development opportunity” with planning consent also granted for a residential and industrial development .

According to the sales particulars a 225 berth canal boat marina could be built on the site with retail shops, cafes and restaurants.

A total of 24 residential dwellings, landscaping, 36 industrial units and a boat house may also be built if the developer wants.

In their decision notice, Coventry City Council said: “The development hereby permitted shall begin no later than three years from the date of this permission.”

A spokesman for Fisher German told the Telegraph that no building on the site could be occupied until the canal boat complex was completed.

This was confirmed in the council’s decision notice which said: “The dwellings and industrial buildings hereby approved shall not be occupied until the marina has been constructed and brought into use.”

While no price for the property has been listed online, a spokesperson for estate agents Fisher German said: “There is no quote price but it would be between £4m and £5m.”

The original plans were supported by then Longford councillors Linda Bigham, George Duggins and Lindsley Harvard.

They supported plans, saying that the derelict site had suffered from anti-social behaviour for years, including drug taking, fly tipping and arson attacks.

Planners granted permission to build on the green belt site as they felt these were “very special circumstances” and the development would be “an asset to the city as a whole”.

Councillors felt that the job creation and other benefits outweighed harm to ecology and to the green belt.

[Melisandre]

Its a shame an attraction could nt be put on this site like RHS gardens open to the public with a cafe which would create learning and jobs and good for the wild life.
I do realise a lot of Coventry people are not interested but through out the country others do visit places from afar like these and willing to pay for entry .