Two more Oxford marinas

NOTWITHSTANDING the lack of demand for marina berths, two more marinas are planned for the Oxford Canal, with one expected to get permission very shortly.

Cherwell District Council planning officer Caroline Roche has told that she is in favour of a 31 berths marina at Cropredy on the Oxford Canal as she believes it will be unlikely to cause harm to areas of historic interest or nearby homes.

Concerned

This is against receiving nearly 50 letters and emails objecting, with local residents particularly concerned about traffic safety and children attending the local school.

Even Cropredy Parish Council objected over visual impact,  traffic problems, light, noise and possible flood problems, with primary school head teacher Lynne Bowen worried about the safety issues for the children.

Rise in boating

But it seems that the planning authority has been persuaded by British Waterways, with its marina team again stating that marinas were needed 'to meet a rise in demand for boating and had social and economic benefits'.

But worse is to come, for plans have also been submitted to the district council, for a much larger marina for 250 berths North of Cropredy, the developer again persuaded of the need for marina berths...