Phase one of Longridge redevelopment

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The first phase of a £3m redevelopment of Longridge Boating Centre is in the hands of the Royal Borough's planning team.

Trustees at the boating centre near Marlow have submitted plans to build a new toilet and shower block with training rooms above, on the Quarry Wood Road site.

It would cost nearly £1m to build and Longridge is currently awaiting on a potential funder which could mean work could start as soon as permission was granted.

The plans are an exciting step forward for staff at the centre - it comes after two hard years of fundraising. The site used to belong to the Scout Association but they pulled out, leaving a dedicated band of trustees to raise the £1.5million to buy the freehold, which they have now done.

These latest plans are just the first step in the great masterplan for Longridge.

Amanda Foister, commercial director of Longridge says "this is a very exciting time for the site. Our inadequate facilities mean we are only able to operate effectively in the summer months, when we see 28,000 visitors - these plans will allow us to spread our visitor numbers more effectively throughout the year".