Herne Bay pier marina plans revealed
An artist's impression
from Aedas of how the pier could look
by Ed Targett
Plans for a futuristic £70 million pier marina have been
presented by the Pier Trust rebuild group.
Members have been told city pension fund managers are already
interested in the proposal, which has attracted a world-class team
of advisors, including internationally-renowned architects
Aedas.
Jason Hollingsworth, from the charity’s rebuild group, said the
project would “stimulate major regeneration in Herne Bay and inject
approximately £18 million into the local economy each year”.
He spoke at the group’s AGM – which saw two proposals for the
future of the pier presented, including a short-term plan to put 13
retail beach huts on the pier platform at a cost of £40,000 and the
long-term rebuild strategy of a pier marina.
The report by consultants Collier’s International features a
luxury hotel at the marina end of the pavilion and a mid-range
hotel at the land end.
The pier as it is now
A harbour rock wall protecting the marina has been designed to
protect vessels inside the marina against a one-in-200 year weather
event.
Former Pier Trust chairman Graham Cooper told members at the
meeting at Herne Bay Junior School that the concept, if built,
would be a visitor destination of national significance, a seaborne
tourist gateway to Canterbury and generate annual returns of 11% on
investment - injecting £18 million per year into the Bay’s
economy.
Mr Cooper said the proposal has attracted an impressive team of
advisors, including Colliers International, Aedas and civil
engineering firm Dean & Dyball.
"We’re not out to put objects in their way. I’d hand over the pier tomorrow if they got the funds, as it is costing us money to maintain it" – City council boss John Gilbey
He said: “We’re
talking to pension fund managers from the city; they’re looking for
long-term investments as the gilts market is low and likely to stay
that way.”
The proposal from the Collier Report, which was only given to
the Pier Trust and the rebuild group two weeks ago, was described
by chairman Doreen Stone as “the first chance for the trust to put
forward the findings of the report.”
She said: “The two priorities are finding investors and putting
it out to a public consultation run by the Trust.”
City council boss John Gilbey, who attended the meeting, said:
“Good luck to them.
"We’re not out to put objects in their way. I’d hand over the
pier tomorrow if they got the funds, as it is costing us money to
maintain it.
“Match-funding that kind of money is not going to be easy but if
private investors want to come and put their money where their
mouths are, good will to them.
"Looking briefly at the report it looks like it is at the
pre-feasibility stage and that proposal would have to be accepted
by the board before it is accepted by the Trust. But good luck to
them.”
28/11/12
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