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The charity making life better by water

Liverpool Waterfront

Planning and design

Our national planning and place making & design teams work to protect our network of waterways from inappropriate development and construction activities; helping to create successful waterside places.

We are responsible for only 4% of the land adjacent to our network of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs. This means they can be significantly affected by the development activity of others. The planning system has a vital role to play in securing the long-term future of the nation’s canal network for the benefit of current and future generations by:

  • Protecting the network of canals, rivers, reservoirs and docks from the impact of development and construction activities
  • Protecting and enhancing the natural and historic waterway environment
  • Improving the health of the waterway corridors and their adjoining communities
  • Unlocking the inland waterway network's economic, social and environmental value

Our small team of professional planners provide advice to plan makers and those determining planning applications, normally local planning authorities but also the secretary of state for major infrastructure projects, as well as offering pre-application advice to those looking to submit planning applications.

These pages provide information on our interaction with the planning system and advice to those looking to engage with it.

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