Bridlington Marina agreement is reached
AGREEMENT has finally been reached on how big Bridlington's proposed marina should be.
A design for 320 berths, with around a third of them in a new outer harbour, has been accepted by all parties.
It will make Bridlington's marina the second largest coastal one in the north east region behind Hartlepool and capable of hosting international regattas.
The existing harbour will be locked and will have 215 pontoon moorings, with 105 more in a new area beyond the South Pier.
Initially, a total of 250 berths will be built, with 70 added later "as demand increases".
The North Pier will be extended and a new fishing pier will be built but there will be delays, partly because of a "severe downturn in the market".
The Harbour Commissioners say they are happy with the layout "in principle".
Alan Menzies, East Riding of Yorkshire Council's director of planning and economic development, said: "This is an important step. The key players are all moving forward as one, saying 'yes'.
"It runs on from the completion of the Spa, which you can feel the buzz in the town from, and means another significant investment.
"Deciding on the size is a difficult call to make but the consultants we used have been cautious and sensible in their approach. I would rather have a number of berths we can achieve relatively quickly than a far higher number which would be more difficult.
"We've now got a feel for the scale and what it is going to look like.
"The next step is to get together with the commissioners and Yorkshire Forward to look at a business plan, with operational costs and income."
Yorkshire Forward said the fact there are waiting lists for berths at Scarborough and Whitby proved there was a market for a marina in Bridlington.
Consultants' research also suggests:
· Up to 80 boat owners who currently keep vessels at Hull would be likely to move their boats to Bridlington marina.
· Around 50% of the 155 boats on waiting lists at Scarborough and Whitby could be expected to take a place at Bridlington.
· The development could even take business from busy marinas as far away as Conwy and Pwllheli in North Wales.
· A 320-berth marina would generate almost £900,000 a year for Bridlington's economy, based on each sailor spending an average of £925 per year and assuming each berth supports three users.
· Bridlington could be promoted as a "first port of call" for people travelling across the North Sea from Holland and Germany.
· Around 30 full-time jobs would be created by recreational use alone.
Members of the council's cabinet will be asked to approve the plans at a meeting on Tuesday next week. The Harbour Commissioners said they would issue a statement after the meeting.
Date: 10 July 2008
Source: Bridlington Free Press