Marina boat store to have living roof

A BUSINESS which will sell boat equipment is to be housed in a £400,000 store with an innovative "green'' roof.

The building, being erected at Mercia Marina in Willington, will be home to a new branch of Midland Chandlers.

And on its roof will be

low-maintenance grass-like plants which will act as insulation.

The low-profile wooden-walled structure will have 4,000sq ft of usable space and will be ready for the store to open in March 2010.

It is the brainchild of Repton firm Bi Design Architecture and incorporates a raft of environmentally friendly features.

It will have large glass windows facing the marina – maximising daylight to reduce reliance on artificial light.

The store will also have a large covered veranda area and moorings for visiting boats nearby.

It will employ five full-time staff.

Darryn Buttrill was the architect who worked on the project.

He said: "From the outset we were told that every aspect of Mercia Marina had to have low environmental impact.

"I came up with the idea of the sedum roof not just for its low maintenance and energy saving, but because – along with the low roof profile and all-wood exterior, it would be much more unobtrusive.

"It would also not obscure views of the marina."

"It's the first such 'green roofed' building in the area.

"I also believe that it's the first on the canals," said Mr Buttrill.

Alastair Thomas, managing director of Midland Chandlers, said: "Mercia Marina is an excellent geographical location for what will be the flagship store for the company.

"The retailer already operates from sites at Braunston, Penkridge and Preston Brook.

"Not only is Mercia Marina very easy for boaters to reach, as it is situated halfway between Fradley Junction and Sawley but it has also got excellent road links too because it's just off the A38 and A50," said Mr Thomas.

"This means that you can drive over easily to purchase what you need for your boat and it means we can restock very quickly as well."

A spokesman from Mercia Marina said: "The marina has a firm policy to remain environmentally sensitive and has set aside further land near the canal as a nature reserve, accessible to walkers."

Mercia Marina opened last year near Willington on the Trent and Mersey Canal in a former quarry.