ALTERNATIVE proposals for marina on the Trent and Mersey Canal go before planners next month.

Ripple Developments Ltd, which earlier had an application for a 250-boat marina rejected, is seeking permission for 36 timber stages capable of serving a total of 72 boats in an existing basin at Higgins Lane Farm.

Nigel Wilder of Rudheath-based Ripple Developments said: 'These will be almost fishing stages which can be used by boats. Most of the infrastructure is there, including the basin and road access, so all we would need is a car park.'

A 150-boat marina by Travel Reign in the vicinity was approved by planners earlier this summer after bosses scaled back their plans and Mr Wilder said: 'We weren't given the opportunity to amend our application so we launched an appeal against the decision.

'We have submitted this application to see if it gets approval which may supersede the need to go through with the application as around 72 boats was all we were planning to cater for initially anyway.

'After what happened I have not got much faith in the process, but I am hopeful it will be approved this time.'