A SAILING club in Northwich is looking to create a new purpose-built boat store and improve its access to the water.

Budworth Sailing Club has submitted plans to Cheshire West and Chester Council to replace three old shipping containers currently being used to house its rigid inflatable safety boats (RIBs).

The club, off Warrington Road, also wants to consolidate two slipways accessing Budworth Mere into a larger slipway to create more space for preparation, rigging boats and training for all ages.

A design and access statement, prepared by the club as part of its application, said: "Budworth Sailing Club is committed to maintaining and improving the surrounding environment for its members, neighbours and partners.

"As part of the phased improvement works the club proposes the removal of existing shipping containers currently used for equipment storage and replacing these with a purpose-built RIB store.

"The existing RIBs are stored in three six-metre long metal corrugated shipping containers.

"The containers are badly corroded and at the end of their usable lifespan. The proposed new RIB store will be a permanent structure to store five of the club's safety boats.

"This new building will improve the image and aspect of the mere, support ease of access, improve safety and security and help with maintenance and upkeep.

"Associated with the new RIB store, the club proposes amendments to three of the existing launching slipways to promote improved access, visibility and operation for groups of all ages using the sailing clubs facilities.

"The existing location will be re-used to ease of access and direct launch of the RIB safety boats into Budworth Mere.

"The engineering works consist of the consolidation of launching slipways A and B and the widening and level amendment of the slipway E to improve access, safety and use of these areas.

"The larger slipway will improve access for club members and create additional space for preparation, rigging boats and training for all ages."

For more details on the proposals and to submit comments, search reference 22/00011/FUL on the council's online planning portal.