Hungerford’ Marina plan hits complications

Hungerford’s ambitious new marina project is heading for troubled waters over pollution fears.A spokesman for Lakeland Leisure, Stephen Rice, told Hungerford Town Council last month that work could begin by next year providing planners didn’t impose “hundreds of conditions”.But hopes of plain sailing for the project have been dashed.Fears over sewage disposal, land contamination and widlife loss have been expressed by ecological groups, including the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and West Berkshire Council’s own environmental health team.BBOWT senior conservation officer Heather Lewis noted that the proposed Highlands Farm development site opposite Cobbs Farm on the A4 is opposite and adjacent to the Freeman’s Marsh Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).He goes on to express concern about sewage discharge into the River Dun and its subsequent effect on Freeman’s Marsh, and to call for an additional “petrol interceptor” to prevent fuel pollution.Mr Dray goes on to call for contamination tests to be carried out.Planning chiefs will now have to consider all the above comments before coming to a final decision.Lakeland Leisure seeks permission for a 120-berth marina with amenities building housing a reception area, toilets, showers, laundry facilities, cafe restaurant and three residential flats in a 4.5 hectare development site – roughly the size of six football pitches.A marina project was first awarded planning permission in 2004 following a 12-year battle with campaigners opposed to such a development.