1
Canal Route
Much of the line of the original canal will be restored, deviating only
slightly to avoid underground sewers installed since the canal breach and in
making a connection with a new length of waterway. There will be a broadening
of the old waterway opposite the 'bakery buildings' to create a mooring basin.
There will also be a new waterway within the trough of the now abandoned
drainage ditch; this will provide short-term visitor moorings.
2
The Mersey Weaver Wharf and Warehouse
The warehouse will be restored and a new building constructed alongside
it, within the wharf area. Together, these will form a youth hostel / budget
hotel with bedroom accommodation in the new block and service facilities such
as café, bar, meeting rooms etc. in the warehouse. These warehouse facilities
will also be open for use by the community and visitors.
In
the northerly part
of the wharf the keeper's house will be used for residential purposes
by the hostel/hotel manager and new buildings will be used for waterways based
operations such as day boats, trip boats,
"Beatrice" children's boat and for a waterway craft shop.
The open wharf area will be available for general public use with paved areas,
seating and the café - beside the restored warehouse dock.
A
car parking area will be located to the south of the wharf site and a new road
brisge connecting with Middleport will be constructed from Luke Street, it is
not planned that this will be a through route to Burslem.
The footbridge from Dimsdale Street will be built.
3
The Anderton Wharf
This will be redeveloped as an employment area with new light industrial
units alongside the restored canal, which will stop slightly short of its
original terminus. These buildings and the waterway will be used exclusively
as a centre for boat building, decoration and repair - an industry already
significant in North Staffordshire.
4
The Gas Land
The area at the bottom of Navigation Road will also be an employment area,
providing craft / light industrial units with living accommodation above. All
the units will be occupied by canal arts and crafts people with such
activities as fender making, joinery, soft furnishings, craft painting, etc.
all supplying the local and national boating industry and the enthusiast.
5
East View
The canal embankment alongside East View will be reformed and improved,
retaining many of the trees whilst giving views to the canal and into the
wharf area. These landscaping improvements will continue northerly alongside
the canal up to and including the Anderton Wharf area.
6
Luke Street
Alongside Luke Street and on the northern edge of the 'bakery' site there
will be a new development of community facilities - such as a neighbourhood
medical centre with a chemist's shop, a food and general shop, a hairdresser's
and a post office.
7
The 'Bakery' Site
Most of the rest of the 'bakery' site has been identified for housing use.
Developers will be invited to submit proposals for mixed residential use but
with the emphasis on owner occupation and sheltered accommodation (with
facilities) for ht elderly. Whilst it would be desirable to retain the older
'bakery' buildings for re-use this is not essential, providing the feeling of
enclosure to the western side of the restored canal route is retained. There
may be provision for a public house / restaurant in the area alongside Newport
Lane bridge and the main line canal.
8
Wet Lands
At the south eastern corner of the site are natural ponds which need
protection and enhancement. How this work is carried out will be the subject
of discussions with the appropriate organisations. The line of the original
coal railway line, with a new bridge across the canal, will form a main
pedestrian route between the waterway and the open high land of Rogerson's
Meadow. An interpretation centre could be provided for the benefit of
visitors.
