Did you know?
Charles Dickens used Yarmouth as a key location in his novel David Copperfield. The author stayed at the Royal Hotel on the Marine Parade while writing his famous novel.
Lowestoft developers Wellington Construction Ltd, together with the Flagship Housing Group, have been appointed as preferred bidders to develop a pioneering new homes’ project which could transform a rundown area of Great Yarmouth’s riverside.
The plans drawn up by 1st East could create up to 30 new homes aimed at bringing new life to a stretch of riverside in Cobholm, giving the area a lift and encouraging future investment – subject to planning permission.
People living near the site will be consulted about the details on 9 July before final designs are presented to Great Yarmouth Borough Council in the summer for their consideration.
Work must start on the project at Saul’s Wharf by March next year to qualify for funding.
To be known as Bure Harbour, the development will feature a mix of new homes, including town houses, flats and affordable homes.
Paul Pitcher, Wellington Construction director, said they were delighted to have been chosen.
“We’re looking forward to enhancing the area with an eye-catching scheme which will also provide a range of quality new homes for Yarmouth,” he said.
Wellington Construction Ltd and The Flagship Housing Group have partnered on many projects in both Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Notable in Yarmouth are the Bridgepoint apartments and the redevelopment of the former Shipleys on Haven Bridge, the conservation of 1-3 South Quay, and more recently the conservation of the former Boultons Buildings on North Quay - which was short-listed for East of England RICS awards. Within a few weeks, they will also start conversion work on the former Art School on Nelson Road Central.
1st East chief executive Philip Watkins said the Bure Harbour project was a vital stage in the company’s brief to breathe fresh life into some of the neglected parts of Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
“This waterfront regeneration is the initial step in making the Cobholm waterfront much more attractive and accessible.”
Jon Piggin, 1st East project manager for the scheme, said he was pleased that the project had been placed with an established local developer and was keen to see work starting on site.
The Council, the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) are all contributors to the project.
“This investment at Bure Harbour comes at a critical time. New homes and jobs are vital to securing the recovery in Yarmouth and Lowestoft,” said EEDA area director for Norfolk and Suffolk David Wilson.
Land for the project, belonging to the Borough Council and EEDA, will be made available for the development in order to allow affordable housing to be provided.
If you would like to find out more about the scheme and view the plans, there will be a public consultation on Friday 9 July at the Cobholm Lichfield Resource Centre from 12.30pm to 5pm.
