A DEVELOPER who wants to build a 90-berth marina within the grounds of a farm says his proposals would be a boost to marine life and the local economy.

A Vale Royal Borough Council report says a build up of silt has driven out wildlife from the small flash where the marina would be built and made fishing almost impossible.

Developer Nigel Wilder claims the silt is contaminated with mercury and cadmium, by-products of Northwich's industrial past.

The small flash, which joins the Trent and Mersey Canal at the rear of Higgins Lane Farm off Davenham Road, Rudheath, was formerly a fishing haven.

Nigel, who owns Ripple Developments in Shipbrook Road, said if his application were successful, he would remove and decontaminate the silt and then use it to line the banks of the marina.

"We'd remove the silt and neutralise and stabilise it which would no doubt improve marine life, fishing and reed bed growth," he said.

He added that the £500,000 investment would also reap benefits for the economy.

"Having the marina will allow more people to visit the area.

"Once their boats are moored, they will be out using the town's amenities like pubs, shops and supermarkets which will obviously bring in more money," he said.

Ripple Development's original plan to build a 250-berth marina received strong backing from British Waterways, who identified a need for more berths in the north west, but was turned down by council planning officials last year on the grounds that the visual impact would be too great.

Opposition was also expressed by the Inland Waterways Association who felt the first marina proposal would destroy a beautiful area', but Nigel said his new proposal would do the opposite.

"The flash is in a dip and so visibility would be minimal. None of the boats or buildings would obstruct the skyline and the car park would be completely hidden by bushes," he said.

"Yes, the area is beautiful but there are already boats lining that part of the canal. The only difference to the view would be that they would be moored in a marina rather than against the canal bank."

A decision is likely to be made by the borough council's planning committee in September, and if given the go-ahead, Nigel plans to begin work on Whispering Reeds Marina next summer.

The Standards Board is investigating the chairman of Vale Royal Borough Council's planning committee, Clr Albert Bailey, after a complaint was submitted in March by a member of the public regarding an alleged failure to withdraw from a meeting in which he had an interest. The matter has now been passed back to the borough council who will complete the investigation.

To see a map of the area click on the link below and go to Davenham Road, Rudheath, where it crosses the canal.