Friday, 20 May 2011

Marina campaigner thanks neighbours

A KNOWLE resident who led a fight against a marina plan that was rejected this week by planners has thanked neighbours for opposing the plan.

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Wychwood Avenue resident Geoff Heaps spoke after the Planning Inspectorate threw out the 140 boat plan for land off the Grand Union Canal plan to the back of the road.

The scheme would have dug a marina into land off the canal by Grove Farm and linked it to Jacobean Lane with a 300m road.

But the inspectorate said it would have an “urbanising impact” and reduce the openness of the Green Belt.

Some 93 letters opposed the plan along with two petitions of 334 signatures.

Mr Heaps, who also led a leaflet-drop on homes in the area, said: “The Planning Inspector's decision is very welcome news to those 300 families who are near neighbours of Grove Farm.

“The decision comes after almost three and a half years of uncertainty about the plans to develop moorings for 140 canal boats at Grove Farm, plans which were first proposed in January 2008.

“Throughout this time local residents have worked together and been unanimous in their opposition to the planned proposals.

“The strength and depth of this local community opposition is highlighted in the Inspector's Report.”

He praised the “superb help” from the council, which could have incurred legal costs if it lost the appeal.

He said: “Thank you to all those residents who delivered our information letters, gathered signatures on our petition, wrote letters of objection, hosted our ‘Say No to the Marina’ signs and attended the planning committee meetings and the appeal inquiry.

“Your support and involvement was vital in bringing the local community together in opposition to fight a most unwelcome and inappropriate planned development at Grove Farm.”

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