ELY Marina boss Jeremy Tyrrell has revealed his vision for Roswell Lakes which could include a heritage centre with business and conference facilities on the water s edge. He also hopes to provide a new headquarters and storage for Ely Sailing Club and pe

ELY Marina boss Jeremy Tyrrell has revealed his vision for Roswell Lakes which could include a heritage centre with business and conference facilities on the water's edge.

He also hopes to provide a new headquarters and storage for Ely Sailing Club and permanent moorings for up to 50 narrow boats.

The plans were revealed following months of speculation over the controversial site which Mr Tyrrell bought from the Thomas Parsons Charity in the summer.

The first phase of his ambitious project will begin early next month when urgent maintenance and safety work will be carried out on the site which includes wildlife areas and woodland.

It is hoped this will improve access and safety for the public and fishing club and allow mooring of a number of boats in the bay alongside the railway line next to Kiln Lane.

The second phase of the work, expected to start in 18 months' time, will involve protecting sites of scientific interest along the water's edge and enhancing boating facilities.

Mr Tyrrell claims reed beds will be encouraged and managed in the currently barren areas of the pit.

Stabilising the bank will also allow the sailing club to expand with more storage space both on the water and on the bank.

The final phase of the work, expected in about five years' time, could involve a new sailing club headquarters at water level with a heritage, business and conference centre in the area of the old sailing club buildings and connecting with the planned new country park.

Mr Tyrrell said: "The sailing club needs proper facilities if it is going to thrive. It is going to have to get bigger and better.

"The fishing club has a modest number of pegs but they are lethal to get to when wet. There are lots of dangerous and semi-dangerous trees on the site and there has been no husbandry of the woodlands for a long time."

Mr Tyrrell plans to set up a consultation committee which would meet on a regular basis and include representatives from significant groups.

He would also expect a smaller group of representatives to be called together perhaps under the Ely Perspective.

"It is a fact of life that things are going to change on the site," he added. "But whatever we do will fit the lakes, we will not be making the lakes fit something else. There has to be constructive input to make that happen.