Who was it that said "The natives are revolting"? Well this one certainly is!!
This is Nigel's blog for airing concerns about current issues on Alderney, and he invites you to comment too. Add your own thoughts be they humorous, insulting, satirical, critical or even full of praise. This is your chance to join the revolution!
Marina
Fantastic news for the island. I personally believe Maggie's bay would have been a far better location.
Surely the picture on the wall in Rea’s Bistro showing megatons of water coming over the breakwater proves that access to the boats in a ‘blow’ would be impossible. I’m not sure this ‘free boat wash’ is a good selling point. Perhaps they could put a roof over the top to protect the boats and it could then double as a swimming pool !
A detailed plan for developing a marina in Maggies Bay was submitted a few years ago, it was rejected. Despite the obvious benefit it would bring to the Braye Street businesses and the natural flow of visitors that would find the route into town easy to spot. The plan included a landing stage for passenger boats large and small that used the existing facilities for waiting/customs areas.
So the plans for a marina at the breakwater have been scrapped.....well there's a surprise. Reasons given by Mr. Robin Walters are, "The marina would be exposed to savage easterly wind and waves coming in from the Atlantic and as the founder of Walcon Marine and builder of hundreds of marine berths, I should have thought about the Breakwater issues beforehand. I've gone and seen it now and so have my technical experts. I will take the blame for not thinking about it earlier." WHAT A BUNCH OF PLONKERS. How on earth could you miss this and just why did the States award the contract to a company who have clearly not even set foot on this rock? Surely if they had bothered to visit the Island, especially during the winter, they would have seen our Breakwater in all her glory. Also a little "local knowledge" (not 2 words that always go together) could have been sort. Just to remind you Mr. Walters the Breakwater is that big granite and concrete thing that sticks out for half a mile on the north-west side of the Island and sometimes has up to 100 foot waves/spray and debris coming over the top of it. I fail to see how something so SMALL and insignificant could be over looked! You go on to say that "The Toulouse Rock area may be more secure". Are you quite sure you know where this is? After all I wouldn't want you wasting your money building something the French!
Surely the big issue is why did the States overlook other proposals, from those companies that did look at the geography of the bay before putting anything in? Yet again poorest of poor due diligence!
The stone revetment needs replacing, so why not replace that with an arm off the quay that charter and fishing boats can land at? Thus feeding passengers straight into the waiting room (temporary harbour office to be). That would create the perfect setting for a marine in MAGGIES BAY!
As I've already said, Maggies Bay is by far the best and obvious location for the actual marina, but unfortunately it has NO commercial value to any private investor as there is simply nowhere to build any luxury homes, in order for them to see a return on their investment. The real money isn't in tying up your boat. Surely if the marina is to be relocated over near the Toulouse Rock area it has to go back to the States for FULL planning permission, or are we just going to see big luxury houses appear below Albert and all around the Lights? Bugger, I'd better get a move on, as I'll only have another 30 years or so to fish at one of my favorite spots!!
What about the area of the boat park. With English row to the east, the chippy to the west and the new car park to the north. Is that not prime development land?
Just spent a wonderful week on Alderney with my family - 6th visit so we keep coming back!
I'm no expert at all on marina positioning but it seems obvious that under the Breakwater is not a good idea unless you really thank that the strong possibility of having a damaged boats over the winter will encorage people to use the marina. The far side of Braye Bay near the Arsenal seems a better proposition as explained in the Alderney Journal. I don't have any doubts that the demand is there having seen the number of boats moored over last weekend.
Please don't bite my head of but why is it taking so long to sort out when it will bring much needed tourist to the island?
I don't doubt that snake oil salesmen can sell the IDEA of a marina on Alderney to prospective buyers who've never been near the place. It will look lovely in the photoshop mock-ups.
The may even sell enough off plant to get the money and the permission to start building.
Never mind the effect on house prices, but has anyone considered what will happen if the market collapses (another major recession is forecast by reputable economists) with the scheme unfinished? Some who exchanged contracts might not be able to visit their houses, and more may pull out. It's not like the 80s now.
Or just as bad - say the flats are all bought, but the yachties either don't come, or more likely don't stay because it's too hard to fly in and out for a weekend of G+T (and no actual sailing, because it's too rough to go out).
Is there a danger of Alderney being left with half a dead marina on its hands?
well dont hold your breath.i would stick to your mooring at Longy i think you will be finished boating by the time this comes along
ReplyDeleteSurely the picture on the wall in Rea’s Bistro showing megatons of water coming over the breakwater proves that access to the boats in a ‘blow’ would be impossible. I’m not sure this ‘free boat wash’ is a good selling point. Perhaps they could put a roof over the top to protect the boats and it could then double as a swimming pool !
ReplyDeleteMore pie in the sky? Or waves. From the figures provided it does not seem a good deal - for anyone.
ReplyDeleteIt could be a good deal, and they have chosen good operators, but there are too many open questions.
Staying at Longis is good advice.
I posted before, but it has not appeared...
ReplyDeleteA detailed plan for developing a marina in Maggies Bay was submitted a few years ago, it was rejected. Despite the obvious benefit it would bring to the Braye Street businesses and the natural flow of visitors that would find the route into town easy to spot. The plan included a landing stage for passenger boats large and small that used the existing facilities for waiting/customs areas.
So the plans for a marina at the breakwater have been scrapped.....well there's a surprise. Reasons given by Mr. Robin Walters are, "The marina would be exposed to savage easterly wind and waves coming in from the Atlantic and as the founder of Walcon Marine and builder of hundreds of marine berths, I should have thought about the Breakwater issues beforehand. I've gone and seen it now and so have my technical experts. I will take the blame for not thinking about it earlier." WHAT A BUNCH OF PLONKERS. How on earth could you miss this and just why did the States award the contract to a company who have clearly not even set foot on this rock? Surely if they had bothered to visit the Island, especially during the winter, they would have seen our Breakwater in all her glory. Also a little "local knowledge" (not 2 words that always go together) could have been sort. Just to remind you Mr. Walters the Breakwater is that big granite and concrete thing that sticks out for half a mile
ReplyDeleteon the north-west side of the Island and sometimes has up to 100 foot waves/spray and debris coming over the top of it. I fail to see how something so SMALL and insignificant could be over looked! You go on to say that "The Toulouse Rock area may be more secure". Are you quite sure you know where this is? After all I wouldn't want you wasting your money building something the French!
Surely the big issue is why did the States overlook other proposals, from those companies that did look at the geography of the bay before putting anything in? Yet again poorest of poor due diligence!
DeleteThe stone revetment needs replacing, so why not replace that with an arm off the quay that charter and fishing boats can land at? Thus feeding passengers straight into the waiting room (temporary harbour office to be). That would create the perfect setting for a marine in MAGGIES BAY!
As I've already said, Maggies Bay is by far the best and obvious location for the actual marina, but unfortunately it has NO commercial value to any private investor as there is simply nowhere to build any luxury homes, in order for them to see a return on their investment. The real money isn't in tying up your boat. Surely if the marina is to be relocated over near the Toulouse Rock area it has to go back to the States for FULL planning permission, or are we just going to see big luxury houses appear below Albert and all around the Lights? Bugger, I'd better get a move on, as I'll only have another 30 years or so to fish at one of my favorite spots!!
DeleteWhat about the area of the boat park. With English row to the east, the chippy to the west and the new car park to the north. Is that not prime development land?
DeleteWhere is Maggies Bay?
ReplyDeleteMaggie's bay is right below the Affray memorial.
ReplyDeleteJust spent a wonderful week on Alderney with my family - 6th visit so we keep coming back!
ReplyDeleteI'm no expert at all on marina positioning but it seems obvious that under the Breakwater is not a good idea unless you really thank that the strong possibility of having a damaged boats over the winter will encorage people to use the marina. The far side of Braye Bay near the Arsenal seems a better proposition as explained in the Alderney Journal. I don't have any doubts that the demand is there having seen the number of boats moored over last weekend.
Please don't bite my head of but why is it taking so long to sort out when it will bring much needed tourist to the island?
It
We've only been waiting 35 years. Like a good cider, you just can't rush these things!
DeletePlease start a blog about the harbour office. I think there's a lot of material in it. And money.
ReplyDeleteI don't doubt that snake oil salesmen can sell the IDEA of a marina on Alderney to prospective buyers who've never been near the place. It will look lovely in the photoshop mock-ups.
ReplyDeleteThe may even sell enough off plant to get the money and the permission to start building.
Never mind the effect on house prices, but has anyone considered what will happen if the market collapses (another major recession is forecast by reputable economists) with the scheme unfinished? Some who exchanged contracts might not be able to visit their houses, and more may pull out. It's not like the 80s now.
Or just as bad - say the flats are all bought, but the yachties either don't come, or more likely don't stay because it's too hard to fly in and out for a weekend of G+T (and no actual sailing, because it's too rough to go out).
Is there a danger of Alderney being left with half a dead marina on its hands?