Burnley Council gives green light to £2.9m floating pontoon at Finsley Gate Wharf
The new pontoon will allow passengers to embark and disembark directly at the historic wharf complex, creating a dedicated stopping point for canal traffic beside one of Burnley's biggest regeneration success stories.
Visitors to one of Burnley’s best-known waterside destinations could soon be able to step off a boat and head straight for the bar.
This is thanks to new plans by the Canal & River Trust for a floating pontoon at Finsley Gate Wharf, which have been given the green light by Burnley Council planning officers
Plans indicate that a large 17-metre floating landing stage will be built adjacent to the wharf and its award-winning canal-side restaurant and bar, which also contains guest accommodation for those boaters who don’t fancy another night on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
The new pontoon, complete with access ramps and safety railings, will allow passengers to embark and disembark directly at the historic wharf complex, creating a dedicated stopping point for canal traffic beside one of Burnley’s biggest regeneration success stories.
That success story began with a major restoration of the long-derelict wharf, which was an important 19th century canal hub known locally as Mile Wharf, opening in 1801.
Its transformation took around 18 months and cost £2.9 million, funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the European Regional Development Fund and the Canal & River Trust.
As part of the works, three Grade II-listed buildings were restored and reopened in 2021 as a restaurant, café-bar, function venue, guest house, heritage attraction and community space.
The project was designed to bring one of Burnley’s most significant canal-side heritage sites back into use while creating a visitor destination at the eastern gateway to the Weavers’ Triangle. Since reopening it has become a popular food, drink and events venue and a focal point for activities on the canal.
Documents submitted by the trust make clear that the pontoon is only intended to improve access to vessels using the canal and support passenger movements on the waterway.
Burnley planners agreed with description and concluded that the facility would help people board and leave boats safely while supporting navigation along the canal.
Officers found the structure would not harm the setting of the wharf’s Grade II-listed warehouse, forge or former canal-side house because the pontoon is modular, largely reversible and sits within the water rather than requiring significant alterations to the historic site.
Their report also concluded there would be no significant impact on nearby residents or highway safety.
The floating pontoon will extend around 4.5 metres from the canal bank and run for approximately 17 metres alongside the wharf.
Burnley Council’s planning officers have raised no objections to the scheme, clearing the way for the scheme to proceed under permitted development rights.