The regeneration plans for Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth have taken a further step forward with the appointment of a design and planning company, EDAW. ‘Most of the regeneration ideas require a change of land use said Philip Watkins, 1st East Chief Executive. “The brownfield land used by long-gone industries cannot be redeveloped for offices, retail, leisure and homes without first getting new permissions. This will be achieved by advancing the Area Action Plan. It is a long process but we are at last on the home run and EDAW will help us get there.” The planning consultants will work with Waveney District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and 1st East to prepare all the reports and supporting evidence that will be submitted to the Government for approval and then be subjected to scrutiny by an independent Planning Inspector at an inquiry that is open to the public
Masterplanning Consultants Appointed for Great Yarmouth Priority Intervention Areas
Urban Initiatives, a well known urban design company have been appointed to develop the masterplan for the 3 priority regeneration areas in Great Yarmouth – Bure Harbour Quay, North Quay and Ice House Quay.
A series of stakeholder events were held to talk to partners, land holders and community representatives to look at the initial ideas for the developments, helping to shape the final recommendations which will go to the 1st East Board for approval.
The consultants also met the schools and sixth form college in Great Yarmouth, who presented their thoughts and ideas about regeneration of the town as the conclusion to the very successful enterpriseGY/enterprise Lowestoft/1st East Schools and Colleges Project.
The first development to go forward will be Bure Harbour Quay (the area to the north of Haven Bridge) on Cobholm riverside as 1st East Chief Executive Philip Watkins explains, “Although we are advancing the Area Action Plan for the two towns there are a number of sites that we are able to bring forward for development where the proposals fit into the existing local plan. The first phase of development on Cobholm riverside will see new family homes built, including affordable homes. Clearly these are challenging economic times but with concerted public effort we are confident we can attract the private sector to take forward this first phase of development.”
PowerPark Demand and Needs Study
Bruce Valpy Associates in conjunction with Douglas Westwood Limited are in the process of completing an important study looking at the potential for the development of a PowerPark in Lowestoft. Capitalising on the multi-million pound public investment in OrbisEnergy (a centre for renewable energy) to translate the potential to locate power related businesses into a physical cluster, the consultants have interviewed a wide variety of energy companies across the spectrum, from renewables to oil and gas and nuclear technology.
Jason Wells, 1st East Project Manager, explains “PowerPark is identified as an essential component for the economic development of the town. Other areas of the U.K., for example Scotland, recognise and are grasping the significant opportunities to harness the economic benefit that investment in the energy sector can bring. Here in the East we have a strong track record in renewable energy and Lowestoft in particular has a lot of natural assets that make it attractive to the industry. As well as valuable quay space there are good linkages to skills providers and extensive experience in servicing the off-shore oil and gas industry.”
The report has been commissioned by 1st East on behalf the public/private sector team that is advancing the PowerPark . The team is made up of EEEgr, Renewables East, NWES, SLP, ABP, EEDA, 1st East, SCC and WDC. It will be published in September, so look out for the results in the next edition of our newsletter.
Summer Competition
Make the most of the summer and enter our on-line competition for a chance to win a £20 Marks and Spencer Gift Card!
Just answer this simple question for your chance to win:
What is the generating capacity of the Gulliver Wind Turbine at Ness Point? (1st East Website) www.1steast.co.uk
Register your answer and update your details here!
Closing date 31st July 2009. Limited to one entry per person.
(The winner will be selected at random from the correct answers and will be notified by email).
A derelict historic former sixteenth century merchant’s house on North Quay in Great Yarmouth has been transformed into high quality affordable housing through a £2 million regeneration project, providing 19 much needed flats for young adults moving on to independent living.
The renovation was carried out by Wellington Construction, working closely with the Conservation Team at Great Yarmouth Borough Council, for the Peddars Way Housing Association, a principal member of Flagship Housing Group and was funded through the Homes & Communities Agency, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Borough Council.
After many years of neglect, the Grade II listed building was in a sorry state and provided some unique challenges as Paul Pitcher, Director of Lowestoft based Wellington Construction explains, “The first task was to stabilise the structure from the ground up, which involved stripping back the fabric of the building and replacing the roof, during which lots of original features were uncovered – it really was a case of peeling back the layers to reveal the history of the building. This is the third such project we have undertaken in Great Yarmouth and have developed a transparent and close working relationship with the Conservation Team at the Borough council which meant that any issues could be quickly resolved.”
Amongst the historic finds were wall paintings dating back to the sixteenth century, as well as a rare oak mullion window from around 1550.
An on-site joinery workshop was set up to tackle the restoration of the many wooden features of the building, including pitch pine panelling and window shutters and seats from the Georgian period. Each flat has a plaque listing the unique historic features.
Darren Barker, Conservation Officer at the Borough Council praised Wellington Construction for their diligent and thorough approach to the project which he described as an exemplary job. The 19 flats comprise a mixture of five two-bedroom flats and 14 one-bedroom flats all for affordable rent.
For one couple, Mr and Mrs Willcocks, moving into Breydon House has proved to be just what they needed. Mr Willcocks explains, “We were living in a second floor flat which was cramped and also difficult to access as a disabled person. Now we are on the ground floor, in a lovely flat which has been completely renovated and is ideally located for my wife’s work as well as being handy for the town centre.”
Andrew Egerton-Smith, Chairman of Peddars Way Housing Association said, “This regeneration project is exceptional and will greatly enhance the regeneration of the town. We have created homes where people want to live, in the heart of the community.”
Philip Watkins, 1st East Chief Executive agrees, “North Quay is one of the priority regeneration areas in Great Yarmouth. We are encouraging new development in this area while respecting the cultural heritage. Breydon House shows just how new uses can be found for such important historic buildings. This conversion to high quality affordable homes protects a historic asset while providing modern homes.”
Meet the Board - Brian McDonnell
Director – Great Yarmouth Local Strategic Partnership Nominee
Brian was born in Great Yarmouth and spent his early years in Liverpool before moving back to the town where he attended Great Yarmouth Grammar School.
On leaving school he joined the Police Service, starting as a Police Cadet in 1963 in the then Great Yarmouth Borough Police, which eventually became part of Norfolk Constabulary and enjoyed a 33 year career, rising through the ranks to become a Superintendent and Divisional Commander for Great Yarmouth and then Divisional Commander for Norwich until his retirement from the Police in 1996.
But instead of enjoying a quiet life, Brian established a training company specialising in investigation techniques, with major clients in the U.K., U.S.A. and Malawi.
In 2003 Brian retired from the company and took on several senior roles in the Voluntary Sector, including Chair of Victim Support in Great Yarmouth, a Director of Victim Support Norfolk and has been Chair of Age Concern in Great Yarmouth for the last five years stepping down in June 2009.
Brian is the voluntary sector representative on the Great Yarmouth Local Strategic Partnership and is also a trustee/director of Great Yarmouth Community Trust.
Brian holds a BA in Politics from the Open University and his main interests include golf, reading and boating and he is also a keen gardener.
The famous actor Sir Michael Caine lived in Lowestoft from 1953-55, working at Lowestoft Repertory Theatre and met his first wife Patricia Haines there. Not a lot of people know that!
Homes and Communities Agency
Waveney District Council
Suffolk County Council
East of England Development Agency
Norfolk County Council
Great Yarmouth Borough Council