South Derbyshire council approves plans for the UK's largest canal-based marina

Plans to build the UK's largest canal-based marina in Derbyshire were approved yesterday.

The 585-berth marina at Willington, known as Mercia Marina, will have a gastro-pub, 18 holiday log cabins, a chandlery and fuelling quay. All berths will be serviced with water, electricity and wireless Internet.

The marina will be created from the existing Willington Lake, which is a private trout fishery, and linked to the Trent and Mersey Canal.

The plans, submitted by Halletec Associates, were approved by South Derbyshire council on Tuesday.

Work is expected to start in late October to early November and is due to be completed by July 2008.