No Montgomery Marina

A DEVELOPMENT company has been refused funding for a marina on the Montgomery Canal.

Shropshire Morris Leisure, had put in a bid for £36 millions to the new Local Enterprise Partnership for a marina at Queens Head on the waterway, coupled with a caravan park. The picture shows the view of the waterway from Queens Head pub bridge, near to the site of the proposed marina.

No great demand

But main funders, the government's Regional Growth Fund refused on the grounds that there was no great demand—the nearby Llangollen Canal already being overcrowded with marinas, all of which have empty berths.

Morris Leisure had already purchased 25 acres of land at Queens Head for the marina and park, expecting to get the £36 millions towards construction, as it has the support of British Waterways.

Drastically altered

It was also in the local development plan, having the support of Shropshire County Council, which was drawn up at the time when marina berths were in short supply, something that has drastically altered over the past few years.

With the refusal of the money, the Local Enterprise Partnership is considering whether or not to resubmit bids at the next round of funding for the development.