Staffordshire marina plan withdrawn

Plans to flood green belt fields in South Staffordshire and transform them into a marina for 252 narrowboats have been withdrawn.

The move comes after neighbours and police objected to the proposals.

The scheme involved creating a boating hub in Swindon which would feature tea rooms, a gift shop and gallery, a picnic area and a pond. It was to be the second new marina in the South Staffordshire district, with plans also submitted for a similar facility in nearby Brewood.

South Staffordshire Council today confirmed that the Swindon application had been withdrawn.

Swindon Action Group, which was set up to block the marina plans, hailed the development as a victory for the village.

Group spokesman Terry Carvin said: "We are so pleased the application has been withdrawn. We held a meeting last week and had a marvellous turnout of about 200 people, which just proved people didn't want this in the village.

"We hope this will be the end of it now and the applicants won't resubmit the proposals."

More than 60 objections were sent to the council about the marina plans, which also included a tourism centre, toilet block, petrol station and parking for 160 cars.

Neighbours living near the proposed site in the village, which is alongside the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal, had voiced concerns about air pollution due to the diesel-powered boats. They added the marina would be too large and cause traffic problems.

Staffordshire Police had also made representations to the council about the security of the 20-acre site.

The Campaign for Rural England followed with another objection that the marina would be too large.

South Staffordshire Council spokesman Jamie Angus said: "The applicants withdrew their proposal, and we understand that they're now considering their options."

Timothy and Joanna Munday, who are behind the project, claimed the development would create 10 jobs. Today they were unavailable for comment."