Still another T&M marina

Published: Thursday, 23 March 2017

DURING that period when the then British Waterways were persuading people to construct marinas, three massive ones were built on the eastern section of the Trent & Mersey Canal—then the boating industry went into decline.

This left the three, Mercia, Bromley and Aston struggling to fill their berths leaving all of them with empty space and the existing ones that were full, like ours at Sawley, had boats moving to the new ones, leaving it one third empty, as it still is today.

Planning permission this week

Yet there is soon to be another between the old Haywood Junction Marina and the newer Aston Marina, at Hixton, with planning permission being given this week, Alan Tilbury reports.

Though not such a large marina at nearly 200 berths, but with no reversing of the downturn in boating, the only places the boats can come from are the existing marinas, that still have empty berths.

At Bridge 78

The new marina will be South of Shirleywich near Bridge 78, with Stafford Borough Council giving permission for 196 berths but have stipulated 182 moorings and 14 berths for visiting narrowboats.

Planning permission has been given for a restaurant, bar, shop, toilets, showers, marina manager's accommodation and meeting rooms. There will be 104 parking spaces.

Objections

There were a number of objections from local residents and parish councils, including Hixon Parish Council.

Another marina scheme in 2014 was refused planning permission.