“INAPPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT"

DECEMBER 2009:

Solihull Council refused 2 planning applications for marinas on the Grand Union in Knowle. They were both viewed as INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE GREEN BELT.

Warwick District Council’s Area Planning Officer, Martin Haslett, wrote to the developer (GPM Marinas), to advise that their marina proposals for Sands Farm, on the Lapworth/Hockley Heath/Stratford District , are viewed as INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE GREEN BELT.

FEBRUARY 2010:

The developer sent to Mr Haslett a “Statement of Material Considerations”, asking the Council to override the Green Belt restrictions. This was supported by a document from British Waterways, quoting data from a 2006/2007 survey, in support of “The Need For (Extra) Moorings in Solihull”.

MARCH 2010:

The Local Residents Marina Opposition Group submitted 3 detailed rebuttals of the arguments in the developer’s Statement of Material Considerations, highlighting the lack of any, up-to-date evidence of need for a new marina at the Sands Farm location, or on the Stratford Canal, in Warwick District.

IN PARTICULAR, WE POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE CURRENTLY 8 MOORING SITES, ON THE STRATFORD CANAL. HALF OF THESE HAVE VACANCIES, & NONE OF THEM HAVE WAITING LISTS.

As a result, Mr Haslett wrote to the developer, advising that their “evidence” related to Solihull & querying if GPM has any evidence of need for a marina ON THE STRATFORD CANAL IN WARWICK DISTRICT. The developer appears to have carried out no work, to justify their claim, and has asked British Waterways to supply some evidence.

WHAT’S NEXT?

THE BRITISH WATERWAYS “EVIDENCE” HAS BEEN PROMISED TO MR HASLETT “SOON”. WHEN HE GETS IT, WE EXPECT HIM TO REFER THE MARINA PLANS TO THE PLANNING COMMITTEE (POSSIBLY ON 9th OR 30th JUNE OR JULY 21).

WE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN THE PLANNING COMMITTEE IS CONFIRMED. PLEASE TRY TO ATTEND, TO MAKE YOUR VIEWS KNOWN!