Perfect chance to create town gateway

Rejection from Warwick District Council was on the grounds that a similar proposal was on the cards for Leamington. Suffice it to say the Leamington plan never got off the ground. In the light of the pressing need for employment opportunities, as an investment to attract more tourists to our town and an amenity for residents outside of the town centre such a scheme surely ticks all the boxes.

The Grand Union Canal is a ready made resource, the popularity of narrow boat holidays is evident by the number of boats passing through Warwick. The moorings at Saltisford and The Cape are not sufficient for all the traffic, they need a properly equipped place to stop. Transport links are close by giving visitors access to shops and amenities in town.

Opposite the Ridgeway site there are boat builders and hirers who would benefit from a marina or moorings providing for customers from the boating fraternity.

A forward looking development on this former industrial site that included small business, retail and affordable housing elements, landscaped to enhance the waterside location would be a great asset to the town.

Where will the money come from in these austere times? Well, there seems to be no shortage of interest when factories or pubs close down so if a sufficiently attractive package for developers was put together who knows what might be possible?

The alternatives do not bear thinking about, a barren neglected site standing empty for years waiting for the market to be just right for maximum gain, never happens, or just as bad, offloaded to the highest bidder for the erection of monstrosities such as the empty office block at Portobello.

Please powers that be, let us create something worthwhile for the good of the town and future generations, the Labour councillors on Warwick Town Council will be pushing for this to happen all the way. - Roger Smith, chair, Warwick Branch Labour Party.