Great Debate

Compared with off-the-peg marine diesels, bespoke marinized diesel are:

  • Much cheaper

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Much more expensive

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Much of a muchness

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
S

StewartC

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 Dec 2005
Messages
358
Location
London
www.mby.com
In March's MBM, out last week, we tackled the issue of marina development. It was a clearly a sticky issue for some, as we had enormous difficulty getting developers to go on the record.

Environmental concerns, local lobby groups and council bungling have sunk many new marinas before they've even gotten off the ground, and developers were angry.

But is it right that so many barriers must be surmounted before a marina is built? Are these checks and balances justified? Or are there just too many obstacles to new marina developments?

Cast your vote to the last question below and let's hear your comments. As always, results of the poll will be printed in an upcoming issue of MBM.
 
I understand the environmental concerns regarding marine developments but in the case that is close to my heart, Pwllheli, the council rejected the proposals on unproven objections.
The shortage of Marina berths in the North west is now forcing people to move elswhere, usually abroad. This must be impacting all the economies not just the marine ones.

Gary
 
I think the leisure marine industry has been a successful sector in economic terms in recent years. It would be a great pity if difficulties in growth coupled with increased fuel prices slow or even reverse this trend. There are measures in place to reduce emissions in boating already (hence the increase in 4strokes rather than 2strokes in outboard engines) and I think I'm right in saying that new inboard engines have to meet emission standards. So the industry is trying to be responsible, the problem is that all these new safeguards need to be paid for and the leisure boater will get to a point where they vote with their feet and our economy suffers as a result.
 
Here in the upper reaches of the Bristol Channel, the English side, we desperately need at least one more marina, I ubderstand the environmentalist concerns but there is loads of space and people count to - not just birds.
 
Unfortunately there are always going to be people who will object to any proposal - if you want to see it in action just go along to your local council planning meeting and see the crazy objections people come up with. Its not NIMBYism its Nothing Must Be Built Anywhere Ever and it doesn't matter what you apply it to; houses, wind turbines, motorways and of course marinas. Of course, here in Spain you just bribe the local mayor and you can build anything you want - simple.
 
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif seems reasonable to me!
 
Too many marinas clogging up traditional anchorages. I want fewer pricey marinas & more free anchorages!

Marinas seem to be the maritime equivalent of care homes. I prefer to be independant for as long as I can be.
 
Having some experience with planners on many occasions that they are generally, IMHO a bunch of tree hugging jobsworths who failed at becoming social workers.

The planners think up schemes for new guidelines which when approved become rules cast in stone. To me guideline suggests some area of flexibility, but not to them.

They have their own agenda and I have known many councillors who throw up their hands in horror at the actions of their own officers. Even when the council in a moment of sanity goes against its own officers they appeal the decision as they are the 'professionals.'

Its a wonder that we get anything built in this country let alone marinas which are regarded by planners as just playgrounds for the rich to park their toys in.
 
"let alone marinas which are regarded by planners as just playgrounds for the rich to park their toys in. "

And you're suggesting that isn't what they are? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
rubbish, marinas are ugly, it is akin to building an NCP in the most picturesque part of town.

No more marinas, lets have some individuality between harbours.
 
Actually tend to agree with you. I'm trying to think of a marina that is pretty and blends in with the landscape.
Those built on ex industrial sites/docks do generally improve the landscape but rural ones usually spoil it.
 
Have to agree, but having said that pontoon landing stage for loading /crew change/water etc and affording access at all stages of tide is a godsend on a day to day basis , so long as it remains just that imho
 
The ability of a few single issue nimbys to stop perfectly valid projects from going ahead in this country is a complete disgrace
Only yesterday THIS story appeared in the papers. £1.7m for what could be just one newt. It just beggars belief
 
In my experience it's the other way round. It's the planning officers who try to apply the planning regulations in an even handed manner and it's the planning committee of councillors who then apply their own prejudices. We've had personal experience of 2 planning applications being approved by the local planning dept and then being refused by the planning committee. In both cases, we went on to appeal and an independent inspector approved both applications
Councillors are elected politicians who will try to influence planning decisions to ensure they remain in power irrespective of actual planning law
 
The other thing that worries me is that the committee members rarely have any ability to translate what's on a drawing into reality. Nor are the officers obliged to help them in this, it would appear.

I've fought 2 planning applications that had been recommended by the Officers and passed at Outline stage by the Committee.
It was only after I'd built a scale model of the proposals that the committee were aghast at what they had agreed to. They then supported me at an enquiry and I won one and lost the other, though managed to get a few compromises through /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

The way Planning is handled in the UK is awful in that it is so convoluted and everything takes so long. BUT it also seems to favour Big Businesses in that they do use the threat of the costs of a Public Enquiry against Local Planning Departments. Quite often the latter end up capitulating in these circumstances.
 
I think that the issue could better be served by starting with the statement "Yes - you can build a marina here PROVIDING......" rather than starting with the word "No" with an eventual change of mind/heart/legislation.

Deleted User makes good points about Planning Officers v Planning Committees - I fell foul of that issue when trying to convert an old derelict, but Grade 1 listed (or is it G2?? - the lesser of the two evils anyway!!) Northamptonshire shoe factory into a home....eventually we got there and everyone concerned was unanimously of the opinion that it improved the neighbourhood, but the trouble we had getting there!!!

If proposals were to be handled with the positive slant, a lot of the resultant issues of unsightliness/traffic access/security etc could be "managed out" at source.
 
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