Planning matters – get involved ...

BEING able to influence planning issues such as those featured on this page is vital to ensuring waterways are protected.

These campaigns were identified and led by IWA volunteers.

More help is needed to help spot applications which may impact on waterways across the country.

The role of planning officer is to monitor planning applications for those that may affect local waterways. To do this you’ll likely be trawling council websites to keep up to date with the latest developments, and submitting responses of support or objection to planning applications that may impact canals or rivers in the area.

A knowledge of planning issues is useful but not essential and the branch committee will offer advice as to what response should be submitted in specific situations.

You would also have the support of IWA’s Planning Advisory Panel.

Ray Gill, planning officer for IWA Middlesex Branch (pictured, left) said: “It is often the small planning interventions made over a period of years that help to make a considerable contribution to the future of the waterways environment.”

Email volunteer@waterways.org. uk to find out more about the work involved and how you can help protect the UK’s waterways.