One resident of Walford who has been very concerned about the work which took place at the Walford canoe launch site, was hoping that a public meeting would be arranged to allay residents’ conerns. However, Walford Parish Council have not called a public meeting. Richard Jackson, who attended recent parish council meetings said he was very concerned that work had been carried out on a Site of Special Scientific Interest without the correct permission,

Frank Mayers, Chairman of Walford Parish Council told the Ross Gazette:?“Walford Parish Council’s Kerne Bridge Canoe Launch Site continues to delight its users and is growing from strength to strength. New initiatives always come with a few hiccups and one of those has been the need to apply for retrospective planning permission for the siting of the café. An initial misunderstanding that planning permission would not be required is now well on the way to being remedied.

“Following a rigorous process to secure a partner to undertake the day-to-day running of the Canoe Launch, Riversea Holdings was the successful bidder.

“Walford Parish Council understands the disappointment of a late-comer who put in a bid after the timed process was completed but local government legislation requires due process to be followed and the parish council will be continuing its flourishing partnership with Riversea Holdings.”