H2O Urban are a property development company. They go in, they develop the site, they move on. They don't want a long term interest. That's not their job after all. So let's not be particular surprised by the fact that their focus is on making money, for THAT is their business. Their entire reason for existing is to develop sites for CRT, and making money for the two shareholders, one of which is CRT.
Converting to housing makes them more money. Money that would, of course, be partly used to redevelop the building. Conversion to housing offers no risk - you make the house and move on. Conversion to a visitor centre offers lots of risk because of funding.
Someone might work out say three years funding, and then it dries up afterwards. What then? Covert to housing? Well that is extra cost. Plus you then have to consider planning permission, and here things get more awkward because now you are trying to take something away that previously existed. It's one thing to deny the ability to setup something that didn't exist. And it's a whole different thing to try take away the facility that did exist. Even if it is one that failed.
I totally get why they want to go with a safer option. And i totally get why they are only prepared to counter changing the plan if they have solid financial commitment.
They are protecting the CRT from financial risk.
What's the alternative in all this? It's a shabby looking building doing very little.
But money isn't all that it's about, although that may be the case for H20 it isn't for CRT.
The Canal and River Trust is a charity with objectives that are primarily for the public benefit.
So maybe they should be seeking a balance between these objectives and focus a little more on 2.2 and 2.5, even if it means they have to invest some of the money they make from the houses back into the immediate area and even if it does present some risks in order to achieve a better balance of their objectives at Marple Wharf:
2. Objects
The Trust’s objects are:
2.1 to preserve, protect, operate and manage Inland Waterways for public benefit:
2.1.1 for navigation;
2.1.2 for walking on towpaths; and
2.1.3 for recreation or other leisure - time pursuits of the public in the interest of their health and social welfare;
2.2 to protect and conserve for public benefit sites, objects and buildings of archaeological, architectural, engineering or historic interest on, in the vicinity of, or otherwise associated with Inland Waterways;2.3 to further for the public benefit the conservation protection and improvement of the natural environment and landscape of Inland Waterways;
2.4 to promote, facilitate, undertake and assist in, for public benefit, the restoration and improvement of Inland Waterways;
2.5 to promote and facilitate for public benefit awareness, learning and education about Inland Waterways, their history, development, use, operation and cultural heritage by all appropriate
means including the provision of museums;2.6 to promote sustainable development in the vicinity of any Inland Waterway for the benefit of the public, in particular by:
2.6.1 the improvement of the conditions of life in socially and economically disadvantaged communities in such vicinity; and
2.6.2 the promotion of sustainable means of achieving economic growth and regeneration and the prudent use of natural resources; and
2.7 to further any purpose which is exclusively charitable under the law of England and Wales connected with Inland Waterways;
provided that in each case where the Trust undertakes work in relation to property which it does not own or hold in trust, any private benefit to the owner of the property is merely incidental
