Consultation Responses Published

Monday 10th September 2007

1st East, the urban regeneration company for Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Waveney District Council, have today published the results of the extensive consultation exercise about the regeneration plans for the two towns that took place earlier in the year. Over 1100 responses were received overall (844 for Lowestoft, 224 for Great Yarmouth and 44 addressing both towns), which is a high response rate compared to similar consultations in other areas of the U.K. The majority of people chose to respond on the questionnaire contained in the consultation leaflet, using the pre-paid envelopes provided but responses were also received via email, letter and the 1st East website. Some 31,000 summary regeneration leaflets were distributed in local newspapers and 2700 mailed to individuals and groups that are on the two councils’ consultation lists. In addition, full copies of the Area Action Plans were available to view on the 1st East and Council websites and at 26 distribution points used by the two councils including the town hall, libraries, some surgeries and community liaison points. 200 consultees (such as government agencies) received a pack containing a CD of the plans and background reports. During the six week consultation period, two community forum events were held and four presentations were made specifically to business organisations, including one hosted by the Waveney and Norfolk Chambers’ of Commerce. The Area Actions Plans cover six key intervention areas in each town (12 in total) concentrating on overcoming barriers to development and unlocking the economic potential of the brownfield and waterfront areas of Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth. 1st East Chief Executive, Philip Watkins said “We’re really pleased that so many people in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth along with the business community have taken such an active interest in the regeneration plans for the two towns. The plans are designed to make the most of the unique features of both towns while making changes to become attractive to new businesses. Its not just about the good buildings to work in but also about having a range of high quality, affordable homes in the town centres set in attractive new public areas coupled with a skilled workforce.” he added. Stephen Archer, Corporate Director at Waveney District Council said "This high level of response is of real value and importance and will be of significant help in ensuring that the regeneration plans for Lowestoft reflect the communities’ aspirations." A majority of people were in support of the plans for all 12 key intervention areas, with the strongest support for the developments in Lowestoft being the East of England Park (a new tourist offer centred on Ness Point with a cluster of energy businesses – the Power Park - around OrbisEnergy) and Fishers’ Wharf (new homes retail and leisure offer connecting the town with the waterfront in the outer harbour) and for Brooke Peninsula where a major new housing development and space for businesses is proposed. In Great Yarmouth the most popular were plans for South Denes (the new outer harbour), Haven Approach (landscaping from Gapton Hall to Haven Bridge); the major housing development proposal in Ice House Quay (between the river Yare and Southtown Road) and Breydon Reach (land around the confluence of the rivers Yare and Bure). In particular there was also strong support for the proposals to build additional river crossings (Nelson’s Bridge and the Lothing Crossing) to help to alleviate existing traffic congestion problems in the two towns. Peter Warner, Head of Planning at Great Yarmouth Borough Council said, “The comments made by the public and the business community will be considered by the two Councils and have a major input into guiding future planning policy for these important intervention areas.” Tomasz Kozlowski, Director of Development at 1st East added “The responses to the consultation will help us to further refine the Area Action Plans and address some concerns that the consultees raised. The most challenging issue is to ensure that new developments are safe from potential flooding and this will require continued close work with the Environment Agency. The amount of development being proposed over the next 15 years will also require significant improvements in infrastructure, particularly transport, and we will be working closely with the local Councils and the Highways Agency to achieve that.” The next phase, expected in the New Year, is to submit the plans to the Secretary of State demonstrating how the regeneration ideas have been shaped by the public consultation. Summaries of the responses to the consultation can be viewed on our website by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page as well as at www.waveney.gov.uk and www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk These are summaries, not the full response of each organisation. The issues raised by respondents are being evaluated and before submission of the plans to the Secretary of State in 2008, we will indicate how the regeneration plans have been shaped by the individual comments. The Councils and 1st East are undertaking further studies to address consultee concerns about gaps in the existing evidence base - for instance such as flood risk assessments, housing mix and transport modelling.

Website Link: http://www.1steast.co.uk/files/category.php?category=URC+Information%7EBackgroun