Boaters launch campaign against new £15m Barby Pools Marina

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A campaign has begun to stop a £15 million marina being built in Onley.



A group of 20 canal boaters, marina and hire boat operators, and councillors from Barby and Braunston met at Braunston Marina on Friday to launch their campaign against Barby Pools Marina.

Leading the cause, Tim Coghlan, from Braunston Marina, said: “What is proposed at Onley is a monster marina – 550 boats packed to the gunnels in a series of large harbours, which would spoil one of the finest local views from the summit of the neighbouring Barby Hill. The developer claims it’s a high quality design, but it’s just your old marina-mutton dressed as lamb - driven by berth-maximisation.”

Mr Coghlan stressed that the campaign is not an attempt to ‘gang up’ on a potential new competitor.

He said: “No one wants this marina. The simple fact is the Braunston Canal is already the most congested on the network. And as this summer has shown, there are water-shortage issues.”

Cllr Robin Brown said: “I wish the campaign every success in stopping this unnecessary marina development, which would cause enormous harm to the canal environment.”

Developers have submitted plans to Rugby Borough Council and Daventry District Council. A decision is expected to be made later this year.

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Argument rages over £15m plan for Barby Pools Marina

DEBATE continues to rage about plans for a £15 million “monster” marina near Rugby.

Developer J Marine claims the Barby Pools scheme would regenerate a run-down area in Onley and prove a useful facility for its neighbours, with extensive country paths and a restaurant among its attractions.

But some living nearby have voiced their displeasure at the proposal, citing concerns for the environment.

Both sides have aired their views in the Advertiser’s letters pages in recent weeks. One opponent, Tony Ward of Greenway, Braunston, said: “I have an intimate working knowledge of the local canals and can assure your readers that if this marina proceeds the already serious problems of congestion, water supply difficulties and empty marina berths can only considerably worsen. I have yet to find a boater who is not against the proposal and I know of some who have left the area permanently because they are fed up with the problems that already exist.”

This week, Brian Fitzpatrick of Crick has written in support of the plan. He said: “These are boating facilities which are needed and it is simply beyond me why a minority of boaters, who mostly appear to live well outside the region, are seeking to make much-needed local jobs go elsewhere.”

As the proposed site crosses the boundary of Rugby borough and Daventry district, the developer has applied to both councils for planning permission.

A Rugby Borough Council spokesman said this week that the councils may come to different conclusions on the matter.

The applications were lodged in June but neither council has yet set a date to decide the outcome.