Marina plan floated despite objections

Controversial plans to flood green belt fields in South Staffordshire and transform them into a marina for narrowboats have moved a step closer to reality.

Plans have now been submitted for a 252-boat marina in Swindon, alongside the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. The proposals include tea rooms, gift shop and gallery, picnic area with pond, tourism centre, toilet block and re-fuelling station. There will also be an office with adjoining apartment to allow for 24-hour security.

The news comes after a meeting was held last month for members of the public concerned about the project.

Residents are worried the boating hub would be larger than the village itself and "totally disproportional" to the area.

Timothy and Joanna Munday are behind the project and say it will bring 10 jobs to the village, which is to the west of Wolverhampton and Dudley. They also say it will boost trade for shops and pubs in nearby Swindon. Included in the scheme would be parking for up to 160 vehicles.

Swindon councillor Roger Lees said today: "There are concerns about the size of the development and the effect it could have on the traffic in the village."

Members of the Campaign to Protect Rural England group fear the marina, along with two others nearby, could lead to a backlog of boating traffic along the canal network.

The plans lodged with South Staffordshire Council state: "The proposal will 'open up' the village to its most significant environmental, cultural and historic asset, the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.

"It will provide public accessibility and inter-connectivity with the village, a community meeting place with a range of facilities linked with the amenity of the marina."

There will not be any boat hire, sales or repairs on site, or any permanent residential moorings. The scheme is due to be discussed by South Staffordshire Council on March 4.