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| Beaumaris Marina: Latest News | |
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LATEST NEWS MARINA UPDATE - 02/04/2007 Anglesey Boat Company (ABC) are hoping for a rapid conclusion to the legal process that has embroiled the Beaumaris marina project since the middle of last year. ABC are now waiting for a date the Judicial Review hearing at the High Court and the case has been earmarked for an 'expedited' hearing. The Judicial Review hearing concerns the FEPA licence, which is required for the construction of the marina and was granted by the Welsh Assembly Government in April 2006. An application for the decision to be Judicially Reviewed was submitted by four mussel companies in July 2006 and was heard in Cardiff on October 5th. Althought the application was initially refused on the grounds that it was not made promptly, that decision was later overturned at the Appeal Court and the Judicial Review will now be held. A spokesman for ABC said: "The application for Judicial Review has already delayed us considerably and we have had many pre-construction works on hold since late June. We have recently forfeited approximately £3m in grant funding as we will now be unable to meet time limits and we are now working with officials from the Welsh Assembly Government to replace these." "While the marina would be sited within the boundaries of the mussel fishery, it will occupy less than 2% of the overall area and there is no reason the two can not sit side-by-side. There is no reason the mussel fishery will be detrimentally affected at all." "The marina would bring over 140 new jobs to one of the most economically-deprived areas in Wales". Declaratory Proceedings In a related legal case, ABC understand that a legal challenge has been launched against the mussel fishery by the Crown Estates and Anglesey County Council: this is intended to reaffirm that the rights of the landowners are unaffected by the fishery order. A further part of the joint challenge will claim that the fishery order itself is not valid. Part of the land the marina would be built on is within the 'Several Order' which creates and regulates the mussel fishery and is administered by the Lancaster-based Sea Fisheries Committee. The Committee claims that they are able to prevent the landowners from having a marina built on their land, whereas the landowwers assert that there are clauses in the Order which specifically reserve their rights. A spokesman for ABC said: "It is entirely reasonable that the landowners can do what they want with their land: indeed, there is a clause in the licence to the fishermen that requires them to vacate the area if the owner requires the land back for works or commercial purposes. It is very regrettable that this action is needed, in order for the landowners to prevent what is, in effect, an attempt to take away their land." Background to the marina The Beaumaris marina development will consist of a 400+ berth marina to the south side of Gallows Point on the Menai Strait. The scheme is modelled on Pwllheli marina and would not have any development other than that purely marine-orientated, bringing maximum benefits to local businesses. As part of the overall scheme, there will also be a development of 40,000 sq ft for marine support services and a new chandlery. Economic projections indicate that the marina could create approximately 140 new jobs in the local area across a wide range of businesses including restaurants, B&Bs, shops and tourist attractions in addition to those created directly by the marina and and the associated marine industries. It is estimated that the marina will generate in excess of £8m per annum in the local area, which is one of the most economically deprived in Wales. Plans for a new promenade to link Beaumaris to the marina are also being advanced and a planning application will be submitted by a partnership of Ynys Mon County Council, the Welsh Assembly Government and Anglesey Boat Company. GALLOWS POINT DEVELOPMENT Anglesey Boat Company also have a planning consent for a comprehensive development of Gallows Point, Beaumaris. The scheme involves the replacement of the existing sheds on the northern side of the Point for the existing tenants and the provision of around ten new units in the existing ABC yard and reclamation area to support the marina. All current tennants will be offered new units in the scheme and work will be phased to ensure that disruption to businesses is as little as possible. Despite local rumours otherwise, ABC have not entered into an agreement to 'buy' Gallows Point. The company is working in conjunction with Anglesey County Council to bring about the development of the Point, but negotiations concerning renewal of leases will be the responsibility of the Council. Following the completion of the development, ABC will enter into a management agreement with Council, through the mechanism of an underlying lease, but the terms the tennants operate under will remain those set by the Council. |
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