More find living at marina really floats their boat
VENUE APPLYING FOR EXTRA RESIDENTIAL MOORINGS TO COPE WITH DEMAND AS MARKET FOR BOATS TO LIVE ON CONTINUES TO WIDEN
A SOUTH Derbyshire marina has seen a big influx of people moving there to live on boats.
Mercia Marina, in Willington, says demand is growing so fast it has had to apply to expand the number of residential moorings it offers.
The attraction – which also includes restaurants, bars and a mini-shopping village – can accommodate 260 people to live on boats moored there.
But bosses at parent firm Madecom Leisure are now trying to expand that number to 360 - and say the boats are providing “muchneeded low-cost accommodation”.
The firm’s planning statement reads: “The additional 80 residential moorings permitted (in 2015) were occupied quickly after implementation.
“Demand for residential moorings has remained high in the intervening period and continues to outstrip supply.
“The marina operator identifies significant demand from existing leisure customers wishing to upgrade to full residential contracts, as well as from outside parties. There is currently a waiting list of around 90 customers. Ever since the marina was built, the operator has struggled with vacant leisure moorings.
“Currently, the number of vacant leisure moorings stands at 70 out of approximately 321, which equates to 22 per cent.
“To compound this issue, the impact of Covid-19 on the leisure and tourism industry has been significant.
“While the market for residential moorings has remained buoyant, the demand for leisure moorings has been affected more harshly.
“The adverse impact on the market for leisure moorings is expected to continue and potentially worsen as government employment support is withdrawn.”
Madecom insists the new residential moorings, which will be provided by changing the use of unoccupied leisure moorings, will not undermine tourism at the site.
In recent years, 33 holiday lodges have been built there – with planning permission for 15 more – and the Piazza and Boardwalk retail developments have been built.
There are 587 moorings in total and, if planning permission for the 100 new residential spaces is given, there will still be at least 221 allocated for visitor use.
Any residential moorings not used will be offered for leisure use, should South Derbyshire District Council give planning permission.
According to site chiefs, allowing more people to live on boats there will benefit the economy and society.
The application reads: “The proposal would help meet the strong demand for residential moorings in the region, which reflects the steady growth in boat ownership and occupation throughout the UK.
“The occupancy of the boats 365 days a year would provide a type of much needed low-cost accommodation in the area.
“Residents would enjoy access to the full range of facilities on-site and off-site, within walking distance,
which would help boost the local economy.
“Residents would have a formal postal address, which would assist in gaining bank accounts and other formal applications such as new employment.
“Residents would be included on the electoral register, enabling them to vote in the area.
“The full-time occupation of the moorings will assist in attracting tourists all year round through visitors to the residential boaters.
“Year-round residents will support the newly developed tourismrelated business at the marina in the leaner winter months, as well as shops and services in nearby settlements.
“Having a higher proportion of residential boaters will help the stability of income of the marina and facilitate further inward investment.”
Residents have until April 23 to comment on the proposal via the South Derbyshire District Council planning website.
Their comments will be taken into account by the planning committee when it decides whether to grant permission at a hearing no later than June 21.