Water water everywhere

You will have already seen from Kath’s blog last week that 2014 has got off to busy start and I am pleased to say that the pace continues. This week the project has lodged another major planning application with Wiltshire Council for restoration of the canal at Studley Grange Royal Wootton Bassett. The majority of this section is alongside the landfill site operated by Biffa Waste Ltd. The plan is to use the material that has infilled the canal for many years (subject to suitability) as part of the landscaping scheme on the now closed adjacent landfill site. The Trust’s Council of Management met on Tuesday and made some important strategic decisions. Directors agreed to enter into a contract (at no cost to the Trust) to commission a Masterplan for restoration. If suitable sponsorship can be found this work will be carried out over the next 12 months. We were sad to hear that the new Chairman designate Sir John Wilsey has been diagnosed with cancer and in order to accommodate the treatment but not to lose his valuable connections and experience, it was decided to appoint him to be a Vice-President for the time being. We wish him a speedy recovery. The directors have also decided to appoint a retained consultant ecologist(s) to advise on plans for restorations. The Dauntsey Lock Visitor centre project was discussed - the current feasibility study is continuing and negotiations with the current owners of the Peterborough Arms are also still in progress. The second application for Pewsham Locks (ref 13/06760/FUL) has now been registered - this should allow an earlier start on Top Lock and cottage than the application for the whole site, which is awaiting further ecological studies. The Seven Locks project team met this week and are currently looking at the scope and technical details for a revised planning application following the Trust’s purchase of the site. Work started this week on the new slipway at Melksham which will allow safe access to the river adjacent to the canoe club. We made a presentation to the East Wichel Community Association about our plans for the Wichelstowe area. The community is very supportive of the canal, and is helping already with our maintenance tasks. We also made some useful contacts with the management of the new Waitrose store which will be opening in April. The wet weather over Christmas thankfully caused only one major engineering problem - a collapsed culvert near Pewsham Locks- remedial works have been put in place to prevent any further damage until a proper assessment can be made and a repair made. Ken Oliver