East Wharf consultation proves constructive

A PUBLIC information event in Watchet to unveil new enhancements to a planned multi-million pounds East Wharf regeneration project has been hailed a success.
West Somerset Council project manager, Adrian Dyer said: “The event was really constructive and we were delighted by the level of public interest in the scheme.
“People raised various points and it proved to be really useful to have the developer and architects on hand to answer questions.
“A recurring theme raised by local people is whether parking in town will become a problem as it is anticipated the East Wharf development will draw many more visitors to Watchet.
“While this is great for the local economy, we now need to consider the scheme’s impact on future parking arrangements.”
Urban Splash, the scheme’s developer, has financed enhancements on site to ensure the residential, commercial, and retail elements of the East Wharf can function independently of, but in harmony with, the day-to-day activities of a working marina.
The enhancements 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 its conversion 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
  
• Provision of a new bus stop, coach parking, and a new taxi kiosk and associated taxi rank
  
• Replacement public conveniences

Mr Dyer said: “We would like to thank everybody who came to the event.
“We are collating the feedback we received and this will be used to plan ahead so that local people and visitors will all benefit from the rewards that a revitalised East Wharf will bring to Watchet.”
The multi-million pounds scheme is scheduled to start in the spring of next year and is set to transform East Wharf.
The scheme includes 86 one and two-bedroom apartments, commercial space designed to accommodate a bistro and retail units, and community space.
There will be enhanced facilities for the marina, including new offices, laundry, and changing rooms.

• The image above is an artist’s impression of the completed East Wharf development. Image submitted.

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.

£1.75 million business units development underway

WORK has started on redeveloping the former Wrigleys factory site, on the Roughmoor Industrial Estate, in Williton, into 14 new workspace units.
Members of West Somerset Council were on hand to watch the start of the £1.75 million regeneration project, which will create opportunities for start-up businesses and those which want to expand.
The council’s economic development portfolio holder, Councillor Nick Messarra, said: “West Somerset Council has invested over a million pounds in this project, which we believe will transform opportunities for small and medium sized enterprises in the area.
“It is one of a number of workspace developments in West Somerset that will benefit local businesses, residents, and the economy.”
The new workspace has been designed to allow a high degree of flexibility in layout in order to accommodate a wide range of tenants over a prolonged period.
The premises will be serviced, meaning somebody will be on hand to deal with visitors.
There will also be meeting rooms, and all tenants will have access to the Connecting Somerset IT support grant scheme.
Units ranging in size from 495 to 2,260 square feet are being provided in the redevelopment, and estate agent Alder King is putting together a lettings package for prospective tenants.
The development is being carried out for the council by Taunton-based builders Rok, whose area director, Chris Hyde, said: “This is a significant contract for Rok and we are delighted to be bringing our refurbishment and new build expertise to the project.
“It will create much-needed high quality workspace in West Somerset and set high environmental standards by regenerating a brownfield site.”
Williton ward Councillor Eddie May said: “The site had been deteriorating over the last few years and we are delighted that, by refurbishing some parts of the site and demolishing and rebuilding others, we will be able to provide businesses and the local economy with the boost it needs.
“Our contactors, Rok, will be meeting BREEAM energy efficiency standards, which means the project will use sustainable building materials and minimise any impact on the environment.”
The balance of the Wrigleys project funding comes from the European Regeneration Development Fund South West Objective 2.

• Our photograph taken on the Wrigleys site shows (left to right) Atisreal project manager Nathan Heavens, Hugh Davies, Councillor Eddie May, council market towns regeneration officer Pete Vallance, Rok contract team leader Colin Ayres, and Councillor Nick Messarra. Photo by Steve Guscott.

Regeneration boost for Watchet, but Williton misses out

WATCHET is celebrating after having been formally accepted into the Market and Coastal Towns Initiative (MCTI).
However, there was disappointment in neighbouring Williton as the village missed out because similar work was already being carried out.
Watchet will now receive up to £20,000 in grants, dedicated support from a community facilitator, professional assistance from consultants, and templates and toolkits to aid its regeneration.
Watchet Regeneration Partnership vice-chairman Sally De-Renzy Martin said: “We are delighted to be welcomed in as one of the initiative’s new towns.
“The harbour, which is the focal point of Watchet, will be enhanced through the regeneration of the East Wharf, The Esplanade, and the West Somerset Mineral Line proposals for the West Quay.
“This gives the community an opportunity to look at other areas of the town for enhancement in terms of landscape and employment opportunities.”
Watchet was one of more than 30 towns which applied to join the initiative, and in the Westcountry a total of 13 were accepted.
The town underwent a comprehensive two-stage application process which took place between July and December of last year.
During the assessment process, local authorities and regional agencies were consulted to ensure resources were allocated to best effect.
West Somerset Council’s market towns regeneration officer Pete Vallance, who worked with the Watchet community to put the application together, said: “This gives Watchet an immense opportunity to build on the community regeneration already underway.
“The creation of a community action plan will enable decision-makers to hear and assist in tackling issues for the residents of Watchet and its surrounding area.”
Watchet and the other towns will be formally welcomed during the Market and Coastal Towns Association annual conference, which takes place on February 2 and 3, at the Riviera International Conference Centre, Torquay, which is also being attended by Dr. Stuart Burgess, chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities and Rural Advocate.
Association chief executive James Hassett said: “I am delighted to announce that we are able to help 13 new towns from across the region plan for their future.
“Throughout this process the support of the South West of England Regional Development Agency and the region’s local authorities has been vital in helping us to make what have been difficult decisions.
“I very much believe that this programme offers the unique opportunity for a community to come together around a shared purpose and vision and for a town to develop in a way that its community would wish to see, rather than having change imposed upon them.”
Although Williton also applied for MCTI status, the association felt community work already being undertaken as part of the Williton Parish Plan had direct parallels to its own.
The association will, however, be launching a service in the middle of this year to support communities such as Williton which will, for example, assist in auditing activity and plot steps towards full MCTI accreditation.
Photo submitted.