Issue 42 — November 1998
Canal plans back in dry dock
British Waterways have changed their minds.
Empty Orchard Cruisers site Planning consent for the building at the former Orchard Cruisers site expires on February 10, but British Waterways have yet to find a suitable developer. Just as well. These plans offer little public access and few public moorings. In 1993 the Community Association criticized them for allowing 'the monopolization of the canal frontage by private housing'.
When British Waterways started their Consultative Forum in April 1996 the Jericho section seemed already doomed - they appeared committed to maximiszing income and to closing the boatyards. However, at a meeting on September 29 with Jan Needle, Chair of the Community Association, and others, Simon Ainley, Manager of the Oxford and Grand Union Canals, and Stuart Mills, Commercial Manager for British Waterways Southern Region, said that all aspects of the development are again open to discussion.
They now want to consider the future of all the land - including the College Cruisers site - and reconsider the location of the new pedestrian and cycle bridge, which, we were last informed, 'for technical reasons' could only be located opposite the bottom of Cardigan Street, rather than of Great Clarendon Street. Reversing previous policy, they now say that they plan to keep boatyard and mooring facilities. Why has this come about? Partly due to the difficulty in reaching agreement with developers, but also because British Waterways seem to have undergone a change of heart and now see the importance of maintaining facilities that allow boating visitors to reach the centre of the city.
What seems to be on offer now is a residential development with some business use - including a chandler's shop and a land-based restaurant for Rosamund the Fair, the narrowboat restaurant. Since Rosamund's arrival at its mooring, children and others are rarely to be found climbing into the former boatyard, and syringes are no longer found there. A few years ago a convoy of new-age travellers had to be evicted from the site by the police. Mixed use, including small businesses that will be active during the day, makes good sense for Jericho.
What's next? British Waterways will come back to Jericho before Christmas for further talks with those most directly affected and with the Community Association. And in January there will be a meeting of the Consultative Forum. So if you have any comments, please contact Jan Needle. A new planning application is expected in the spring though given all the delays so far, let's just wait and see.
George Taylor, Great Clarendon Street
