In September 2010 the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA) released a report on the residential use of waterways, highlighting the recent increase in demand for on water housing and the issues this raises for navigation authorities. In Defra’s 2000 investigation into the future of Britain’s waterways (Waterways for Tomorrow), residential use of floating...
Read more »
In its long-term vision paper, 2020, British Waterways identifies the opportunity provided by its potential transition into the third sector. In previous posts we have discussed the role that communities can play within this process and their importance to satisfying BW’s overall vision. But one must not ignore the financial realities of BWs position,...
Read more »
In a previous blog I suggested that the name of the new organisation would reflect its cultural bias, its approach to community development. Here I highlight the importance of cultural perspective on the fulfilment of the localist agenda. The inclusion of A Community Right to Manage within the governance documents of the new waterways...
Read more »
In his comment piece in this Sunday’s Observer, Andy Wightman asks us to “Imagine a Britain of small-scale forestry, of farm forestry, of small- scale rural businesses, of community forests”. Will the Public Bodies Bill and the threat of a “shallow and nihilistic land grab”, make this vision implausible? If the Public Bodies Bill...
Read more »
The public consultation on the future of the UK’s forests is launched today. The government’s proposals to sell off large sections of the forest estate to the private sector have come up against significant opposition. Despite assurances, many are worried that left in the hands of land grabbing timber companies, forests will become disconnected...
Read more »
What should the new waterways charity be called? British Waterways (BW) asks us to provide suggestions that stick within the ‘does what it says on the tin’ remit. To provide useful suggestions we must ask not only ‘what will it say on the tin?’ but what exactly will the new organization look like. What...
Read more »
