Massive changes coming to docks
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by Neill Barston
A massive regeneration project to
transform Sheerness Port with hundreds of millions of pounds in
investment for a new marina, housing and hundreds of jobs, has been
announced.
The details are:
- A new centrepiece marina for up to 500 large yachts will be
created at the heart of the project
- A 15-year scheme from port owners The Peel Group will
rejuvenate and expand docks with three new deep water berths
- Hundreds of jobs to be created with housing scheme on the site
which includes a port extension in the Thames Estuary
- The population of Sheerness will increase by around a half with
the arrival of new homes and businesses designed to compliment
existing high street traders
- Significant improvements expected to road infrastructure to the
port to accommodate new housing and commercial operations
Dock owners, The Peel Group, has committed to
the 15 year-scheme which it says will offer a huge economic
boost with a radical re-design of the layout of the port and
extension of commercial shipping facilities.
There will be a new promenade for tourists
within the development area, which will be enhanced with a Thames
Estuary reclamation scheme of 120 hectares for housing.
The private marina will have up to 500 yacht
berths and emerges as a similar scheme is under way at
Queenborough, where £400m is being spent on a 180-berth marina,
housing, new link road at Rushenden.
Project manager Dale Thomson, of consultant
architectural firm Royal Haskoning, which has been commissioned by
Peel to produce a masterplan, said there would be plenty of
opportunity for the public to contribute their input.
He said: “This is major news for Sheerness and
Sheppey – it will safeguard jobs already in the port and
create many more. It’s a large mixed use development and will
include port expansion with the creation of three new deep water
berths.
“The scheme will run into hundreds of millions
in investment. We will be going to public consultation either in
February or March next year with exhibitions and workshops.”
The first housing planning applications are
expected in 2012, with significant plans to improve road and rail
infrastructure within the area. It is expected that the scheme will
create a greater linkages between Blue Town and Sheerness town
centre, improving its presently isolated position.
A spokesman for Swale council said: “We
welcome the proposals for Sheerness port as they could bring new
business and employment opportunities to the Island. There is a
long way to go for the proposals to be realised and we look forward
to continuing to work with the port on shaping the plans for the
future.”
- Picture by Countrywide Photographic
Tuesday, September 29 2009
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