Hopes Wansford marina encourages staycations
Plan have been submitted for a 22-berth marina for mooring leisure boats in Wansford.
The application is near to Snakeholme Lock off the B1249 Frodingham Road.
The changes of use proposal will see excavation works create access from Driffield Canal and will include sanitation, water and electricity for each of the berths.
John Scholey, who owns the land which the development will be on, is the applicant and hopes it will encourage ‘staycations’ in the area.
Mr Scholey is not the owner of Snakeholme Lock, which is owned by Driffield Navigation Trust, or Whin Hill Nurseries, which has been by owned Robert and Deborah Smith for around 20 years, as was previously reported incorrectly.
John told the Wolds Weekly that there is a need for the berths on the River Hull and has the support of fellow marina owners.
“Mike Artley, who owns a marina at Hempholme, has told me that he is fully behind my proposal since his marina, which can hold around 60 or 65 boats, is currently full and has a waiting list,” explained John, who is also chairman of Driffield Navigation Trust (DNT).
“There is clearly a need for it on Driffield Canal and the River Hull and Mike, who is vice-president of DNT, is helping us with this development.
“I have a passion for boating and have done my entire life, but the popularity of it has risen considerably in this area in recent years.
“The DNT runs the extremely popular boat trips from Frodingham Landing and boating is another way of exploring our beautiful countryside which can’t be seen from the road.
“There is more activity on the River Hull and fishing in that area, with all the facilities nearby, is popular too.”
John said that, subject to planning approval, he hopes to start work on the site by late-summer and, should everything go to plan, for the completion by early summer 2022.
He added that he plans marina will be able to accommodate most boats and, should COVID-19 restrictions still be in place, comply to social distancing regulations.
“Boating is becoming more and more popular and with people less likely to be travelling abroad for their holidays in the near future, this is an alternative for them,” said John.
“We want to utilise the navigation as best as we can and the water, at normal times, will be around four feet deep and able to accommodate most boats.
“Buying a boat doesn’t have to break the bank either, they can be bought from around £2,000, which is roughly the same cost as a family holiday abroad.
“We will be offering the berths at as reasonable a price as possible to encourage everyone to use them, whilst the water will also be well-maintained.”
The application can be viewed on the East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s planning portal by searching the reference number 21/00216/STPLF.
