Regeneration: Vision for Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth and Gorleston were invited by Government to set up a private sector-led Town Board that would lead on the development of a Town Investment Plan. It forms the basis of negotiations to release significant investment that will accelerate regeneration and address barriers to inclusive economic growth and recovery from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Board has used a wealth of information and insight to identify key local strengths and challenges, brought together under four themes: growth, regeneration and business development; skills and aspirations; arts, culture and tourism; connectivity and sustainability.
Under each theme, specific capital projects or interventions have been carefully formulated to unlock and amplify inclusive economic growth, create jobs and increase the range of opportunities. Successful inward investment secured to date includes: £20.1m from the Government’s Town Deal Fund, £13.77m from the Future High Streets Fund and £980,743 for the High Street Heritage Action Zone.
Some of the projects that are underway include:
Marina Centre
Construction has started on the £26m Marina Centre project. Funded by Great Yarmouth Borough Council, the Government’s Getting Building Fund via New Anglia LEP, Sport England and Pooled Business Rates, the centre is due to open in Summer 2022.
Winter Gardens
A National Lottery Heritage Horizon grant of £9.8m is a major step towards refurbishing the at-risk Grade II* listed Victorian building, the last surviving cast iron and glass structure of its type in the UK.
Venetian Waterways and Boating Lake
Completed and opened in August 2019, the project to repair and restore the entire park was funded mainly through a £1.77m National Lottery Heritage grant. Further support came from the Borough Council, New Anglia LEP and the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Market Place Redevelopment
Work on the £4.6 million redevelopment of the town’s Market Place is due for completion in Spring 2022. Investment comes from the Borough Council and the Future High Streets Fund.
O&M Facility
Funded by a government grant via the New Anglia LEP ‘Getting Building Fund’, Norfolk County Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Norfolk Business Rates Pool, work has just started on the project to create a new £18m Operations and Maintenance Campus for Great Yarmouth to service the offshore industries.
North Quay regeneration
Mostly funded by the Town Deal Fund, this £2.95m project will see four hectares of land earmarked for retail/leisure redevelopment on land to the east of the River Yare and south of Fullers Hill roundabout.
Third River Crossing
So far, £98m of funding from the Department for Transport has been awarded to Norfolk County Council towards the anticipated £120m cost of the project for the Third River Crossing from the A47 at Harfrey’s roundabout to the port and the enterprise zone via South Denes Road on the other side of the River Yare.
Leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Councillor Carl Smith is positive about the town’s future and said: “Our people and communities are at the heart of everything we do. We aim to build a vibrant coastal economy which encompasses our success as a thriving visitor destination and as the future UK capital of offshore renewable energy, bringing opportunities for our young people and driving aspiration and pride in our area.
