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accurate reflection, then surely this is the real issue that the Albert Dock authorities should be addressing rather than harassing an individual whose
presence isn't, in fact, resented, but appreciated?
Merseyside almost lost Planet two years ago when her previous owners wanted to sell her. The
vessel was rumoured to be going to either Holland or Scandinavia, until McClarnan, 44, a Salfordbased music and property entrepreneur, stepped in.
He
bought Planet for "under £100,000" and has since spent a further £100,000 of his own money on continuing restoration.
Persuaded by the Mersey
Lightvessel Preservation Society not to relocate Planet to his property at Salford Quays, he is instead converting the ship's interior into studio space for
12 music and media students to become a possible satellite for the LIPA "fame" school.
At the dispute's heart is the situation caused by three main
bodies being responsible for Albert Dock. British Waterways owns the water and gave permission for Planet's six-month temporary berthing, with negotiations
to take place for a longer period.
Albert Dock Company owns the buildings (including leasing) and Gower Street Estates operates its public spaces and
walkways on behalf of tenants. The latter is especially unimpressed by the lightship's historical credentials.
Sue Grindrod, chairman of Gower Street
Estates, says: "The lightship came in without consultation. We're working with British Waterways reviewing the strategy of Albert and all the south
docks.
"The lightship will be moved into Canning Dock after a number of discussions between British Waterways and ourselves.
"The lightship
occupies the sunny side of the dock, blocking out light, and has a negative impact on the businesses. Scale is our main concern, which our board deemed
inappropriate for the Albert Dock. As the public can't access the lightship, I can't see how it benefits our visitors."
However, she did agree that
none of the Albert Dock resident vessels - the tug Brocklebank, coaster Wincham, barquentine Zebu or Indefatigable's launches - were accessible by the
public, but she thought the Baltic schooner Glaciere could be viewed "by appointment".
Would Gower Street Estates not feel responsible of the loss of
Planet to Salford Quays by this decision to force the vessel out of Albert Dock?
Grindrod says: "It's British Waterways' problem to find a solution.
We're here to work in partnership in all our interests. Blue Bar expressed operational issues about gaining access to (Planet). There are health and safety
concerns here."
Pam Brown, president of Mersey Lightvessel Preservation Society, which fought for years to save Planet, says: "This appears to be an
infight between the operators of the Albert Dock complex."It is despicable that Bill Broadbent, British Waterways' harbourmaster, who has jurisdiction on
bringing vessels into Albert Dock, is now having to rescind his permission.
"I believe Planet's berth was offered a year ago, and this has been all
done correctly legally with the right insurance. If she's too big for Albert Dock how come this was not spotted earlier on?
"It would be a great
shame if Planet goes to Manchester, yet another important part of our Mersey heritage that seems likely to go off to foreign parts."
Jim Gill, chief
executive of regeneration agency Liverpool Vision, says: "The south docks do need animation and bringing back boats is a good thing that adds to their
attractiveness.
"This whole matter could have been better managed. With a bit more sensitivity between the individuals involved, this problem could
have been avoided.
''Clearly all the people involved have to get on with each other and should behave in a manner for the greater good." The wider
vision concerns leading Merseyside maritime preservationist Susan Hanley-Place, chairman of Mersey Heritage Trust.
She says that from the start of
Albert Dock's regeneration, there were plans - shown on illustrations - to include a lightship.
"Redevelopment plans always envisaged Planet would
find her final retirement home in Albert Dock, and here she is, berthed up with Liverpool's square-rigger Zebu," says Hanley-Place.
"Planet deserves
a warm Liverpool welcome after all those years heaving at anchor out in the Irish Sea.
"British Waterways is a decent organisation to deal with. This
has a great deal to do with Bill Broadbent. Bill had a BW remit to develop the ship presence as he sees fit."I have the original promotional brochure for
'Albert Dock Village'. It clearly shows the lightship Planet as part of the original aspirational historic ships collection."
"Basil Bean,
Merseyside Development Corporation's first chief executive, recognised the importance of smaller historic vessels and British Waterways is now carrying
forward this vision, and must be supported to the hilt."
Bill Broadbent, British Waterways harbourmaster, says: "Nobody ever suggested we wouldn't
speak to Gower Street Estates. We've agreed to move Planet to another location, although all three options have problems regarding water, power and
security."
John Sloan of CB Richard Ellis which manages Albert Dock on behalf of Gower Street Estates, says: "We must ensure all procedures for public
health and safety and general activity connected with the vessels does not interfere with the occupiers which permanently reside on, and the public who
frequent, the dock area."
Justine McGuinn, a spokeswoman for CB Richard Ellis, also stated Planet was too big and "quite intrusive" for Albert Dock,
although the lightship mostly lies lower than the public walkways and its protruding lantern does not obstruct any office windows.
Pam Brown of Mersey
Lightvessel Preservation Society reiterates: "We've a great deal to thank Gary McClarnan for. Thanks to him Planet is presently so near to her original home
at the mouth of the Mersey, afloat on the river waters that actually flow into Albert Dock."
peter.elson@dailypost.co.uk
Planet's history
THE lightship Planet and her predecessors witnessed many maritime events in their lifetimes, especially the convoys
assembling during the war, before their dash across the Atlantic and around the world.
The first Mersey lightvessel was also called Planet and built
at Birkenhead in the 1870s. Planet, stationed at Mersey Bar from 1961 to 1972, was manned by a crew of seven who spent two weeks at a time on board. She had
no engine and was towed to her position, being held in place by a four-ton wrought iron anchor. Planet was replaced by a 55ft diameter unmanned Automatic
Navigational Buoy.
In 1972 Planet was relocated by her owners Trinity House to Guernsey, until 1983. Made redundant again, it was dispatched to Harry
Pound's scrapyard, Portsmouth.
She was saved from demolition when bought by Keith Ganes and Mike Critchley, and who berthed the vessel in the East
Float Dock, Birkenhead, until her latest relocation across the Mersey in Albert Dock.
Stan McNally, chairman of the Mersey Lightvessel Preservation
Society, says: "Planet is an historic ship and deserves preservation. This part of Britain has long been associated with the Merchant Navy and provided a
large proportion of its crews."
The marine radio museum originally on Planet is now relocated to Perch Rock Fort, New Brighton. Visit the website at:
www.barlightvessel.org.uk
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