Holiday lodges planned for marina near Market Drayton

Bosses of Overwater Marina, near Market Drayton, want to create four timber-built lodges off Coole Lane.

Agents NextPhase Development says the marina is a Caravan Club certified location that has up to five pitches for touring caravans which are regularly oversubscribed.

The lodges would be built next to open countryside where development is normally restricted to protect the landscape. But the application says that the proposed buildings would be within the perimeter of the marina.

Although no specific designs have been submitted for the four lodges, it is understood they would be of timber framed design and would be let out as holiday cottages.

The site falls within the boundary of Newell Parish Council, which has agreed to support the application.

A statement on behalf of the applicant says the aim of the scheme is to expand an existing business and complement the existing facilities associated with the marina.

"The proposal provides the opportunity to deliver a development within the parameters of the existing marina, which complements the existing facilities associated with the marina as well as positively contributing to the growth of the tourism sector," the statement says.

"The development would provide economic benefits to the village and the district as a whole.

"The development is positioned in a sustainable location with good pedestrian connections to the village of Audlem which provides a range of convenience services for tourists visiting the marina. The lodges will be accessible via the existing access roads within the marina and via Coole Lane, the main access to the marina itself."

Permission to build the marina was granted in 2008 and since then several planning applications have been lodged to modify the original conditions, including a new 10-pitch touring caravan site.

Cheshire East Council hopes to make a decision on the application by May 16.

Overwater Marina has won a number of prestigious awards since its opening, including becoming the first canal marina to be awarded five Gold Anchors by the British Marine Federation.

Earlier this year it also received the Inland Marina of the Year award from The Yacht Harbour Association for the second year running.