Information for Marina Developers
Benefits of Including Moorings for Residential Boats in Marinas and Boatyards
There are many potential benefits to marina operators in including a number of residential craft in the planning application for the development of a new marina or an extension to an existing marina.These benefits include:
- Meeting an existing and rapidly increasing demand for secure moorings, both long and short term, for residential craft
- Providing lower-cost homes in the Local Authority Area
- Contributing to the local economy
- Providing a visible presence within a marina, and thereby increasing security
- Offering on-the-spot action in emergency situations (such as alerting emergency services in the case of accident, illness, fire, etc.)
- Noticing any sudden changes to water levels, and reporting this to British Waterways and Marina Operators
- Being able to assist visitors or those newly moved to the area or new to boating with their local knowledge (shops, facilities, etc.)
- Taking a pride in the appearance of their boat and its surroundings, so presenting a pleasant aspect to others
- Bringing colour to the area, giving local residents and visitors to the area some insight into the traditions and heritage of our waterways
- Helping the environment by aspiring to lead an eco-friendly lifestyle
Some Developers appear to have concerns that, assuming that Planning Consent can be acquired, there are many disadvantages in including residential moorings in a marina. The Residential Boat Owners’ Association (RBOA) is quite happy to work with British Waterways Marinas Development Unit and BW General Managers, along with Developers, to develop ways in which potential problems could be avoided. The RBOA considers that this is best done before any development takes place, so that, in the unlikely event that if any problem should occur at a future date, there are robust strategies in place to deal with it.
Beryl McDowall,
RBOA Revised 27.10.07