Retirement with No Problem

My eldest alien Wendie left a comment on the blogger at the beginning of December that I missed at the time. The comment I think was in response to this on the blog

Sue:

Not content with this mornings hike, set off again along the towpath to have a look at the Marina at Peartree Bridge. Didn’t like it! The pub come hotel there was yet another ‘family eating house’

Wends:

Although the developments might be a little ‘harsh’ for the long-term boats like you mum, don’t you think that these types of developments like the ‘family pubs’ help to bring in much needed revenue for the waterways as a whole? Although no direct funding is made to BW by these developments, the developers themselves are regulated to ‘put back’ something to the local area when any new development is done….therefore the canals should benefit?

Yes I think you do have a point there Wends, as in most development these days, large concerns are putting something back into the community. I could go on about large businesses such as supermarket giants building in green belt where individuals cannot, but I won’t because your question was about waterway projects.

There was an interesting letter to British Waterways recently about the old Toll Office at Little Venice on the Regent Canal. Little Venice is quite an important landmark on our waterway system for those not in the know. A search in google will give you some history and information on the place. BW own the building, and are planning on renting it out for a non waterway activity. Here are the letters…

Del Brenner, spokesman for canal campaign group Regent’s Network wrote to BW chief executive Robin Evans:

“We would like to know why there is no consultation about the toll house, which is a public asset. As we all own the canals and British Waterways manages them on our behalf, then we think that the public should have some say in the future use of the building.”

In response Mr Evans wrote:

“Mark Bensted (BW boss) and his team are more than capable of considering the various options for the toll house and deciding on the optimum use. It is their responsibility to manage the BW estate and derive best value from it. It is not an issue that requires consultation; indeed your assertion that ‘the people should decide’ would be an absolute derogation from BW’s duty.”

So Wends, yes I agree, put some money back in…. but are BW putting back themselves? Another huge example is ‘Wood Wharf’ owned by BW at Canary Wharf….

Look at the amount of money involved here for BW…. tens of millions!

“British Waterways wants to transform Wood Wharf into Europe’s newest and most vibrant business district nssp; The master plan for the site envisages 5 million sq ft of development, equivalent to five Canary Wharf towers. The current plans for the site include 3.6 million sq ft of commercial space, including shops and restaurants; about 1,500 homes, a hotel and serviced apartments, and a new canal link and basin.”

Ah! “and a new canal link and basin” well a ikkly bit back then Bet they charge a fortune for moorings in that basin!!

OK, so new type pubs replacing the ‘countryside style” pubs I don’t like. But when it comes to putting money back in, well I am not entirely sure that it is actually happening.

Oh and by the way, “BW has a property portfolio worth more than £400 million.”!!