Nene waterfront regeneration
The local need
Wisbech contains the most deprived areas of Fenland with health inequalities, low levels of educational attainment and economic prosperity, and high levels of crime. The port area needed ambitious infrastructural regeneration to create better facilities for residents and stimulate the local economy by creating job opportunities and visitor attractions. Our Nene Waterfront Regeneration (NWR) project has achieved the BURA Waterways Renaissance Awards for Strategy and Master Planning and for Education and Learning.
The vision
We wanted to take a master planning approach to the districts growth and future shape to exploit the individual potential of each area in a sustainable way. We wanted to create a sense of place for future generations by delivering a comprehensive regeneration of vacant and underused brown field sites in the port area of Wisbech by creating a new mixed-use quarter. The NWR project aimed to break the cycle of deprivation in Wisbech through the creation of employment in leisure, marine and knowledge based industries to raise wages, aspirations, and economic prosperity in the area. Creating new jobs, housing solutions, a new business centre - the Boathouse, and better boat moorings and a boat lift.
The challenge
After extensive research and consultation we decided to focus on developing better infrastructure, improving roads and parking, creating more affordable housing, pedestrianisation, regenerating brown field sites, removing buildings/facilities that had a negative impact and creating high quality public spaces near the river. Enabling businesses to develop by creating new business spaces such as the Boathouse, regenerating the Harbour area and creating new marine sector leisure activities to diversify the use of port land. We enhanced the yacht harbour; new facilities include state-of-the-art berths, pontoons, boatlift and slipway creating a landmark edge to the riverfront as a visitor attraction. In partnership with the Cambridgeshire Environmental Education Service we established a formal programme of education around the NWR development with national curriculum linked teaching materials.
The results
- The Boathouse has 29% occupancy, and held 330 conferences in 2009/10.
- There were five new business start ups in the marine sector and four in the Boathouse.
- We created jobs in the: Foyer 8.5, Boathouse 38.5, and marine sector 11.
- The Boat hoist has made over 200 lifts since installation. The pontoons have increased berth holders since 2007, achieving 80% occupancy of 129 berths.
- To date 1089 key stage 2 and 3 pupils from schools throughout Fenland have taken part in the nationalrriculum linked programme.
- Estimated economic benefits excluding mooring fees is £200,000 p/a.
- Visitors, with an increasing interest from the Netherlands contribute around £10,000 p/a of local spending.
- Winner of BURA Waterways Renaissance Awards for Strategy and Master Planning and for Education and Learning.
- Finalists in the MJ Awards 2010 for Best Achievement of the Year in Housing and Regeneration category and shortlisted in the LGC Awards 2010 regeneration category.
Where next?
The council will continue with infrastructural developments to ensure that the site is ready for further development when the economy recovers. These measures include the construction of a link road, junction improvements, further pedestrianisation of the Nene Parade and a bridge crossing.
Contact Details
Gary Garford
Corporate Director
01354 622373
garygarford@fenland.gov.uk