Barby Pool £15m marina plans approved in Northamptonshire
Plans for a £15m marina in Northamptonshire have been approved by Daventry District Council.
Barby Pool Marina, proposed by J Marine Ltd, will have 550 berths at Onley Park and create 100 jobs.
The development had been criticised by MP Chris Heaton-Harris and rival marinas who said the canal network was already full.
A district council spokesman said the 36-hectare (88-acre) development would transform the local area.
"The council felt that these plans would produce local jobs and would most definitely be an improvement to the derelict buildings in the area," said Steve Osborne, chairman of the district council's planning committee.
The Canal and Rivers Trust, the Environment Agency and residents of Onley also support the plans.
But Tim Coghlan, director of Braunston Marina, is opposed to the plans. He said: "The businesses that are really going to be affected by this are the hire boat companies that work around here.
"People will not want to hire boats because of the level of congestion in the area. There are already up to two-hour delays."
Joe Oliver, director of J Marine Ltd, said: "Barby Pools Marina will provide an amenity for waterways users and the local community in a sustainable manner and provide almost 100 jobs."
The plans also need to be approved by Rugby District Council because the development straddles both Daventry and Rugby.
This will be discussed by the council on 7 November.