Development will oust sea cadets

THE proposed development by the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Accrington will see the end of the sea cadets' headquarters as it will be demolished for space for new houses.

Their building, a former stable block at Enfield Wharf on the canal, will go to make way for a new development by British Waterways and a private landowner.

Appealing for help

The charity maintained group is appealing for help in finding new headquarters as the present headquarters, its home for 50 years, will be lost in the development, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Accrington Sea Cadets Vice Chairman Stephen Hutchinson tells us:

"We're in a building that's come to the end of its lease, it's rented from British Waterways. If the redevelopment goes ahead we are effectively homeless."

Waterside homes

The multi million pound plans to build over 100 new waterside homes in Clayton-le-Moors involve redeveloping and building an access tunnel through the Sea Cadets' 200 years old grade II listed headquarters.

Stephen added:

"It's mainly naval-based training, but it's also about bringing kids up in a respectable manner. If we lose our headquarters there and if we are homeless eventually we may have to close down and kids will be left with nowhere to go and nothing to do."

He appealed to anyone who may be able to help the group in their attempt to find a new home.