Marina is full steam ahead

1:35pm Tuesday 20th November 2007

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PLANS for a £1million pound marina have been stepped up.

Bosses of Barden Mill, between Burnley and Brierfield, will discover whether the proposal for the 92-berth marina at the back of the store is approved by councillors at a meeting next month.

The 26-acre site, which takes in both Burnley and Pendle, would serve narrow boats from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Councillors will now decide whether to give the marina the go ahead at planning meetings on December 4 and December 6.

If approved, Barden Mill bosses are aiming to start work in the new year and aim for the project to be completed by August.

Plans for the site include places for narrow boats to moor, so users can stay overnight or lease a space for a year.

There would also be facilities for visitors to use, including a small tea room, shower room with toilets and a shop.

Bosses from the store are hopeful that the planning application will be given the go ahead after saying they received positive feedback from Pendle and Burnley council bosses.

Jason Fildes, owner of the Barden Mill, said: "We have had lots of positive feedback from residents and the district councils have been very positive saying that the marina would help boost tourism in the area.

"We have also had a number of inquiries from people wanting to know about using the marina."

At present the store has a dock outside the shop where visitors can stop off to visit the shop to visit the shop as part of a canal cruise from Foulridge.

Barden Mill bosses hope to start running their own trips to the Yorkshire Dales from the shop and back if the marina goes ahead to give an extra boost to tourism in the area.