Lapal canal restoration seriously endangered - implications for future restorations

[matty40s]

Most visually effective protest for publicity would be to fill the section with bright orange j sainsbury shopping bags and trolleys for the day.

[john6767]

 

Most visually effective protest for publicity would be to fill the section with bright orange j sainsbury shopping bags and trolleys for the day.

I like that bit about there being shopping close by at Aldi and Tesco.

[madcat]

I hope all local boaters will support this,even I hope to be part of it allthough I'm no big fan of the IWA at the moment and I will miss an event I had my eye on [not canal related] Maybe some of the BCN challenge entrants will join the protest.

[Graham and Jo]

This has been discussed today at the Birmingham City Planning Committee. The information provided by the council's planning officer is shown here http://tinyurl.com/pxp42cx. The developers are providing more money for the canal there total canal contribution seems to be £4.4M !

The main plan seem to be build the canal under the supermarket, provide a piled route to the west of the site to enable future completion, putting in a bridge and piling on the Worcester and Birmingham and importantly doing something about contamination along the line of the canal. Unfortunately I missed the web cast of the meeting (well the bit that counts it is still going on as I type). But we should be able to see it in the archive tomorrow. See http://www.birmingham.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcasts

Cheers Graham

[Paul Greaves2]

The restoration of Lapal Canal is moving forward as part of the Selly Oak redevelopment. Relevant documents can be found here

 

http://eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/Northgate/DocumentExplorer/Application/FolderView.aspx?type=eplprod_DC_PLANAPP&key=587345

 

They Include an outline method statement for construction of the canal

 

http://eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/Northgate/DocumentExplorer/documentstream/documentstream.aspx?name=public:0901487a8138945f.pdf+0901487a8138945f&unique=587345&type=eplprod_DC_PLANAPP

 

a canal photo montage

 

http://eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/Northgate/DocumentExplorer/documentstream/documentstream.aspx?name=public:0901487a81326cc3.pdf+0901487a81326cc3&unique=587345&type=eplprod_DC_PLANAPP

 

and Section 106 agreements that outline how the canal is to be included and procured as part of the scheme.

 

http://eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/Northgate/DocumentExplorer/documentstream/documentstream.aspx?name=public:0901487a814586f1.pdf+0901487a814586f1&unique=587345&type=eplprod_DC_PLANAPP

 

All very interesting and needed in the area. The canal restoration is a nice touch that will be an attractive extension to the Worcester and Birmingham.

[steven wilkinson]

so am I reading this correctly? Sainsburys will form the route of the canal (to the A38 roundabout) while they are building the supermarket, and then, once the supermarket is operational, they will dig and line the canal, and then let the water in?

[Chop!]

Sainsbury were quite helpful when we were trying to save a lock and a short section of the Glamorgan Canal near Pontypridd, originally planning would have built their car park across the canal, but they relented and made good the towpath past their car park ;o)

Link to Pontypridd Canal Conservation Group

Unfortunately, if you've ever driven down the main A470 dual carriageway you may or may not have noticed that it was built over the canal and drops in stages that follow the line of the old locks ;o( So there is no chance of a full restoration or of linking it to the system ;o(

 

It does seem that this is a good result for the canals around Selly Oak. Hoorah!

Edited August 21, 2014 by Chop!

[Paul Greaves2]

Hello Steven Wilkinson

 

My reading of the S106 is that Ramheath who are the developers will construct the route mainly through excavation and piling works, this is known as the Lapal Canal Route Enabling works. Ramheath have to procure a Canal Procurement Entity who are responsible for the Lapal Canal Route Delivery Works. See S106 for definition.

 

Ramheath have to negotiate with CRT to purchase an interest in the land that the canal will follow and agree a scheme and licence for any works that they are going to undertake.

 

To comply with the planning permission they must do this with reasonable endeavors and will be released by their obligation by the council no later than six months after the date of occupation of the supermarket provided they have met certain conditions, one being that they have let the contract for the Canal Works which are for the "Construction of the Bridge and the TowPath and Landscaping" hence the last lot of works.

 

Now this may not be 100% accurate as I can't be bothered to spend a lot of time working it out, but basically they are bound by time-frames that are linked to the opening of the supermarket and need to demonstrate reasonable endeavours if they havn't done anything. Looks like its a runner.

 

Cheers

[Dave_P]

This is very positive news