Aldcliffe Wharf site: Not the best news, but at least we give credit to Richard Parry for a courteous and considered reply: Thank you for your recent e-mail, which took a few days to reach me. Apologies for the slight delay in responding while I consulted with those responsible for this project. I am grateful for your work with our Explorers and your admirable support for our canal history. I have asked for a detailed briefing from my team but I can assure you that we share your passion for our heritage and take our responsibilities as custodians of the nation’s canal heritage very seriously. As you may know, we own the third largest number of listed structures in England, and employ a team of specialist Heritage Advisors to guide our work. The Trust has also formed an independent Heritage Advisory Group whose membership is made up of respected external experts in this field who are also consulted on such proposals. I understand that the site at Lancaster has been surplus to our requirements for many years and has had little active use. We were therefore keen to find a solution that respected the heritage in the best possible way but which critically would create an ongoing use that would secure the site’s long term future and ensure the heritage is kept in good condition through active ongoing care. My team came to the view that the best way to do this was to oversee a sensitive redevelopment of the site, working with a Joint Venture partner with a good understanding of our heritage role, to ensure we retain a degree of control. Our JV development partner undertook a lengthy and comprehensive consultation exercise over its proposals for the site which culminated in submission of a detailed planning application (together with a more comprehensive Heritage Assessment). The planning application was approved by the Local Planning Authority. I understand you are concerned but my team sincerely believes that it has struck a good balance, retaining and respecting the vital heritage buildings (the workshop building and the packet boathouse are retained and respected), whilst achieving a future commercial use for the site which ensures it will be cared for. It will also generate income the Trust needs for the long term funding of the upkeep and maintenance of our wonderful canal network. Regards Richard Parry Richard Parry Chief Executive Canal & River Trust
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 23:35:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015