Droitwich Canals Restoration

Following many months of discussions with environmental bodies, the Planning Application for the restoration of the Droitwich Canals was considered favourably by The Development Control Committee at Wychavon District Council on 4 October 2007.

However, due to concerns over the impact on otters, which are protected by European Law, Members of the Committee resolved to delegate the granting of planning permission to Gill Collin, Head of Planning at Wychavon District Council, subject a further report on these mammals and also to agree the wording of all the conditions to be attached to the approval.

Whilst Councillors were keen to support this project, more information on otters was needed before giving it the full and final go-ahead.  Gill Collin said:  The concerns focus around the value of otter habitats on the existing line of canals.  The Council needs to see a clear plan for protecting otters during the work in and around the restored canals, before a final approval can be given.”

The applicants, British Waterways, are currently liasing with Natural England over the surveys and mitigation measures to be put in place with regard to the otters and it is hoped that this can be satisfactorily resolved in the next few weeks.

British Waterways still anticipate that the works on the restoration of the Canals will be able to commence shortly and hope that they will be completed by the end of 2009.