More Mercia development

PLANNERS have approved proposals for a waterside shopping development at Mercia Marina on the Trent & Mersey Canal.

The development has been christened the Boardwalk due to its featured raised walkway extending over the waters of the marina, with South Derbyshire District Council giving it the green light.

Another feature

This will be yet another feature for the marina, that is already part-way through the development of 18 luxury holiday lodges and  a gastro pub and hotel in a £2 millions development the Lighthouse, that received planning permission last year, as shown in the artists' impression above.

The cost of the Boardwalk is estimated at £1.3m, and will consist of six ground floor retail units within two one-storey 'wings', which will sit either side of an airy central atrium, forming the seventh shop. The units will be earmarked for specialist retailers such as a farm shop selling local produce.

The timber and stone framework, incorporating large glazed areas, has been designed by bi Design Architecture, of Repton, Derbyshire, to complement other existing and planned developments on the marina site at Findern.

Benefit

Robert Neff, general manager of Mercia Marina, exclaimed:

We're delighted that The Boardwalk has been received so positively by the council. We've worked very closely with the planners to come up with a scheme which we think will benefit everyone in the local community, and bring a welcome boost to tourism.

"Together with the Lighthouse, we expect our developments to generate dozens of job opportunities on the site as well over the next year or two."

Mercia Marina has proved very popular with boaters, with its 600 berths now nearing capacity, helped no doubt by the many services it offers including shower and laundry facilities, tearoom, general store, boat hire, dry dock, workshop and a massive 4,000 sq ft chandlery.