The Harwich Masterplan was commissioned to bring about the regeneration of Harwich.  This project is needed in order to provide the stimulus required for inward investment and development out of the overall Master Plan objectives.

Gas House Quay

As part of this work the Harwich quayside Design Statement was prepared. There is a proposal within this document to enhance the quayside at Harwich by removing existing on street car parking (35 spaces) and reconfiguring/landscaping the area to provide pedestrian priority. In order to do this it is proposed to relocate the existing car parking to an adjacent site at Gas House creek. The land on which the car park will be situated is the site of a former gas works. The land is contaminated and the piled sea wall that protects the land from erosion is near the end of its design life and is heavily corroded. Technical study works have been completed and it is now proposed to design and construct new piles tied back to the existing construction, the area will then be hard paved and laid out as a car park providing 66 spaces to create the necessary car parking capacity for visitors and will enhance the existing area and create a sense of arrival in Harwich.

Harwich Quayside Piled Mooring

Installation of six steel piles against which visiting craft will be berthed.  The provision will encourage further development of tourist events already held in the area and could be used in partnership with local providers to accommodate sailing training vessels.

Project Scope

The scope of the project is to deliver two elements of the masterplan:

Gas House Creek: The project will provide a steel sheet piled wall at an offset from the existing wall, provide new anchors and fill to the void between the old and new wall. This work will renovate the existing steel sheet piled sea wall which is life expired. The area will then be hard paved and laid out as a car park all in accordance with the necessary consent procedures.

Harwich Quayside Piled Mooring: installation of six steel piles against which visiting craft will be berthed.  The provision will encourage further development of tourist events already held in the area and could be used in partnership with local providers to accommodate sailing training vessels.

Aims

• To co-ordinate the delivery of the overall Masterplan 2008-15.
• Delivery of Phase 1 Gateway 2008/9 (to provide a parking area at Gas House quay that will replace the car parking spaces at Harwich Quay. The proposal will renovate the sea wall at Gas House Creek and prevent future contamination of the river it will also provide a suitable new use for this area of contaminated land. The new car park will provide a sense of arrival for visitors and the parking space that will be released on Harwich Quay will allow  landscaping works to take place that will enhance the pedestrian experience by improving  the  urban environment through careful design and use of materials).
• Enhance the understanding of Harwich's maritime heritage.
• Atract visitors for longer stays, both local and form a distance to visit other attractions in the area.
• Work with schools and colleges to develop an educational programme with visiting vessels.
• Allow Harwich to provide a berth for speciality ships as visitor attractions.

Outcomes

• Jobs created and safeguarded.
• Public sector investment
• Private sector investment
• Skills development
• Engages volunteers
• Additional visitors to Harwich
• Deliver enhancements to the historic environment.
• New homes and affordable homes
• Brownfield land reclaime/redeveloped
• Delivers a reduction in traffic congestion.
• Addresses identified negative perceptions of the area.

Status

Funding for 2008/9 £300,000

Funding for 2009/10 £1,550,000 - revised to £286,000

IDP Package: Coastal Towns

Status as at 30 September 2008:

• Contractor for design/project management of capital works has been appointed

• Design of the Highway and Public Realm improvements is being undertaken by Essex County Council.

Status as at 31 December 2008:

• Planning application underway, needs to incorporate Natural England requirements for invertebrate and bird surveys.
• Design work progressing, scheduled to complete early 2009.

Status as at 31 March 2009:

• Consultants appointed to design/project manage works at Gas House Quay.
• Planning application delayed as Natural England require invertebrate and bird surveys.
• Delay to commencement of in-house Essex County Council design for Harwich Quayside.

Status as at 30 June 2009:

• Planning application submitted and approved for Gas House Quay.
• Consultants have gone out to tender with the design works.
• Delays in commencement of design by Essex County Council in-house team on Harwich Quayside.

Status as at 30 September 2009:

• Tenders received and re-tendered for Gas House Quay - expected back 6 October.
• Ongoing negotiations with Highways regarding design agreement and works for Harwich Quayside
• Quayside works are still being considered in the wider context of the Harwich masterplan and once agremeent reached work will commence.

Status as at 31 December 2009:

• Planning application approved.
• Tenders for original design retendered due to change in use and design of area and received back on 6 October.
• Consultants appointed.
• Ongoing discussions being held with Hutchison for permission to enter their land to carry out the work.
• Ongoing negotiations with Highways regarding design agreements and works for highway and public realm improvements.

 Status as at 31 March 2010:

• Contract awarded for component 1 and lead in period commenced.
• Contractors due to start on site w/c 19 April 2010 for 12 weeks.
• Ongoing negotiations for component 2 - commencement of design for highway and public realm improvements.

Status as at 30 June 2010:

• Funding revised.
• Finishing works to component 1 (Gas House Quay) completed.
• Legal work to establish lease arrangements from The Crown Estate.