Support
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 22389
Received: 08/10/2021
Respondent: Inland Waterways Association Lichfield
Policy ENV7 – Canals
The Inland Waterways Association commends and supports all aspects of Policy ENV7 - Canals, including the development principles, environmental protection, restoration route safeguards, and residential moorings guidance. The following minor amendments are suggested for clarification:
Paragraph 1)
Action: Insert "boaters" before "pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-car-based modes of transport".
Explanation: The prime purpose of canal navigations is for boating, and this remains a focus for their accessibility alongside other users. Navigation and boating is duly mentioned in paragraphs 2)a, 3)b and 6).
10.103
Action: Amend last sentence to read: "... making their reinstatement (and any necessary original realignment) financially challenging and only achievable beyond the Plan period."
Explanation: The existing text is too negative. There are several viable canal restoration projects being actively pursued which are capable of making progress within the Plan period, although like most canal restorations their completion may span several plan periods.
Action: Add new paragraph after 10.103
"Long term projects to restore several canals within or connecting with the Black Country include the Lapal Canal (partly in Dudley), the Fens Branch (in Dudley), the Bradley Canal (in Wolverhampton and Sandwell) and the Hatherton Canal (partly in Walsall). These are supported as important strategic additions to the region's canal network that will benefit the recreation facilities and visitor economy of the Black Country."
Explanation: In response to the comment under Issues and Options consultation responses (page 245) concerning the Hatherton Canal, whilst this remains protected by Walsall's SAD Policy EN4 Canals and it is appropriate to detail the route protection at a local level, for canal restoration projects that cross local authority boundaries it is appropriate for them to be included at the strategic level of the Black Country Plan.