BUCKINGHAM will be getting a water feature with a difference, if plans by Buckingham Canal society get the go-ahead.
In a proposal that would change the local landscape, the society has applied for planning to reline and refill a stretch of canal at Bourton Meadow.
Since 2005, volunteers from the society have cleared the 466m stretch of canal, which had become completely overgrown.
And now, subject to obtaining planning permission, they plan to fill it once again with water.
Society secretary Helen Preston told the Advertiser the stretch would need lining with a specialist modern material.
She said: “This was always a difficult stretch of canal and it didn’t hold water very well.”
Instead of the original puddle clay, the society will use a lining material called Bentomat.
The plan is to renovate all the hedges, plant more trees and plant water margin plants along the stretch of water.
The Ouse Valley Walk, which runs along the former canal towpath and is well-used by dog walkers, will be retained.
“It’s effectively an extension to the Bourton Meadow green lung for Buckingham,” said Mrs Preston.
MP for Buckingham John Bercow, who is a patron of the society, is backing the planning application. If permission is granted, work will start in the new year, with plenty of opportunity for local volunteers to get involved.
For more information, visit www.buckinghamcanal.org.uk