Memorandum submitted by William Davis
Limited
We understand that a select committee is gathering
information and evidence regarding British Waterways involvement
in regeneration projects. I submit the following brief summary
of our experience as developers working with British Waterways
here in Loughborough.
The old Loughborough Wharf was a hidden area
of the canal network providing poor access and boating facilities
right at the edge of Loughborough Town centre, and was surrounded
by a number of old terraced houses, derelict workshops and a builders
yard.
William Davis Limited owned a number of old
town houses adjacent the canal on Derby Road. On the opposite
side of the canal the Local Authority also had a large land holding
which was under utilised as a council storage depot.
In early 2002 a partnership was formed between
William Davis Limited and British Waterways to explore the development
potential of the "wharf" and surrounding land.
BW's aspiration was to create a much improved
boaters facility and public realm area coupled with some commercial
A3 space. As developers William Davis were drawing together a
number of uses to create a commercially viable mix comprising
social housing, student housing, apartments for sale in addition
to delivering the A3 units and public realm.
Negotiations with the LA enabled their land
to be brought into the equation in exchange for a new depot on
land outside of the town and the first draft scheme was born.
However soon into the planning process a potential
flooding issue was identified by the EA which affected the LA
land and which then had to be withdrawn from the scheme.
A hasty rework of the masterplan and a restructure
of the finances from BW rescued the schemes viability and detailed
planning consent was then sought for the reduced scheme. This
proved to be a very challenging exercise which the "partnership"
handled very sensitively.
The final scheme design included an enlarged
canal basin, boaters toilet/shower facilities high quality public
realm with open access to the community, 179 student bedrooms,
7000 sq ft of A3 restaurant space an 35 private apartments.
The first phase of the scheme was delivered
in summer 2007 with the opening of the basin, boaters amenity
and public realm. The first A3 unit is currently being fitted
out.
The overall scheme proved to be very challenging
particularly through the early planning and viability stages but
the fact the scheme has now been delivered is testament to the
strength and resolve of the "partnership" between BW
and a private developer. There were setbacks at times such as
the EA flooding issue plus planning objections to handle and it
would have been all too easy at times to say "this won't
work" but the tenacity and belief of the whole team plus
a "can do" attitude of all involved saw the scheme through.
Our experience as developers of working with
British Waterways is one which we would very much like to continue.
Dave Camp
Commercial Director
William Davis Limited
March 2008
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