Marina plan could buoy town economy

Waterside development given cautious welcome

THE new marina project for Hungerford could help turn around the town’s economic fortunes, civic leaders hope.

Plans have now been submitted to West Berkshire Council planners and will be due for public inspection and comment any day now.

Despite a sometimes controversial history, the town’s changing economic climate has meant the marina vision has been cautiously welcomed by Hungerford Town Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the Town and Manor of Hungerford.

As Hungerford’s recorded footfall has decreased, year on year, since 2011, civic leaders have called for innovative ideas to boost the town’s attraction.

The company behind the project is already advertising the project – with the caveat ‘subject to planning permission’ – on its website.

It states the company is “delighted to announce a new and exciting, exclusive marina development, Hungerford Marina, centrally located within the North Wessex Downs, only 1.5 miles from Hungerford town centre.

“Located within an area of outstanding natural beauty, with 120 berths and a wide range of on-site facilities Hungerford Marina could be the tranquil marina you are looking for.”

However, the new blueprints for the site off the Bath Road will dispense with previous ambitions for a waterside metropolis with hotel, restaurant, heritage museum and small business units.

The project was first awarded planning permission in 2004 following a 12-year battle with campaigners opposed to such an amenity.

The site, almost opposite Cobbs Farm Shop and Kitchen, was originally home to 7,000 pigs.

In January, representatives of Lakeland Leisure, which now owns the site off the A4, met with Hungerford Town Council and the Town and Manor of Hungerford, which owns the adjacent Freemans Marsh – a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Both organisations cautiously welcomed the project, with some reservations.

Chairman of Hungerford Chamber of Commerce, Nigel Perrin, said: “We welcome it. There may be one or two ecological points to be settled but I can’t see a downside for Hungerford, or for its businesses.

Town mayor Martin Crane welcomed the plans as “a good addition to the town and its attractions and facilities”.

District councillor Paul Hewer (Con, Hungerford) said: “It can’t do any harm to the town and, in fact, I believe it will be good for local business.

“Perhaps we should go even further and have somewhere for mobile homes and caravans.

“There’s a lot pensioners with disposable income and nowhere for them in Hungerford.

“I’m not suggesting a huge, sprawling site, but something to complement the marina.”

He added: “We have to look after the Area of Outstanding Natural beauty (AONB) but there’s a balance to be struck and the town needs more footfall.”