Tuesday, October 12, 2010

New 500-berth marina plan should bring extra canal boat holdays to South Yorkshire

If the plan goes through tomorrow, as is reported likely, then this should eventually bring more canal boat holidays to South Yorkshire.
PLANS for a 500-berth marina on a canal in South Yorkshire are set to win approval from planners tomorrow after changes were made to the scheme to make it more wildlife-friendly.
Developers Waystone Ltd submitted plans to Doncaster Council several months ago for a marina project on the Stainforth and Keadby Canal at Stainforth, north-east of the town centre.

But those plans were withdrawn after groups including Natural England spoke of their concern over the effect of the massive building project on wildlife on the rural site and in marine habitats. If Doncaster Council's planning committee gives outline approval to the scheme at a meeting at the Mansion House tomorrow, further work will be carried out on the ambitious scheme.

Blueprints submitted to the authority show a marina with four newly-dug basins, which would provide pontoons with room for 500 pleasure boats, as well as a pub and restaurants, a visitor centre and shop units.

I'm not sure if part of the marina will be used by hire boat companies but just having 500 berths in one place is sure to create a focal point for canal boating in general and that includes holidays too.