East Wharf regeneration plans now stretch to nearby areas

RESIDENTS of Watchet are being invited to attend one or both of two community events organised to provide them with up to date information on enhancements to a planned multi-million pound regeneration of the town’s East Wharf.
Homes, offices, retail, and community units are due to be built on the West Somerset Council-owned East Wharf site by developers Urban Splash, with work starting next year.
But now the council and Urban Splash want to extend the scope of the regeneration to include Harbour Road and even the nearby Watchet Boat Museum.
The community participation events are being held in Watchet Methodist Church Hall from 10 am to 5 pm on Friday, March 30, and from 12 noon to 5 pm on Saturday, March 31.
Council corporate director Adrian Dyer said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for members of the public to see the development’s design details and to discuss the project with representatives from the scheme’s developer, Urban Splash.
“The new enhancements will enable the residential, commercial, and retail elements of the development to function independently of, but in harmony with, the day-to-day activities of a working marina.”
The enhancements, which will be funded by Urban Splash, include:

• Provision of new flexible boat storage and car parking arrangements in Harbour Road car park


• Improvement works to the current boat museum building to allow it to be converted as a boat workshop


• Demolition and relocation of the taxi kiosk at the entrance to Harbour Road


• Purchasing associated installation site works for a fixed boat hoist, including a tractor and trailer/cradle


• Works to reconfigure and enhance Swain Street car park, including the proposed demolition of existing garages and public conveniences


• The provision of a new bus stop, coach parking, and a new taxi kiosk and associated taxi rank


• Replacement public conveniences

The multi-million pound scheme is scheduled to start in the spring of 2008 and is set to transform the East Wharf.
The scheme includes 86 one and two-bedroom apartments, commercial space designed to accommodate a bistro and retail units, and community space which could be used to accommodate a museum/cultural area, meeting rooms, and town council and tourist information offices.
There will be some retail space and enhanced facilities for the marina, including offices, a laundry, and changing rooms.
Artist's impression submitted.