Green light on the Waterfront

THE REVITALISATION of the Nene Waterfront in Wisbech will take a significant leap forward next week when Fenland planners are set to approve a multi-million-pound redevelopment. Fenland District Council s planning committee will hear the proposals have me

THE REVITALISATION of the Nene Waterfront in Wisbech will take a significant leap forward next week when Fenland planners are set to approve a multi-million-pound redevelopment.

Fenland District Council's planning committee will hear the proposals have met with little resistance and the package for the 17-acre site will provide up to 375 new homes, increase the population of Wisbech by 900, and create nearly 140 new jobs.

"Much of the land has been derelict for over 20 years and as such it has not contributed in a positive manner to the economic vitality of Wisbech, which has in the past been somewhat fragile," says planning officer Wendy Holland in a report to Wednesday's meeting.

She points out those objecting to the threatened loss of their property, or the failure at this stage to appoint a developer are "not material planning considerations."

Ms Holland says the proposals include a yacht club, conference rooms, port offices and business units.

Five-storey blocks of houses, with commercial premises on the ground floor, will be built adjoining the Nene, maximising river views, stepping down to two-storey to the eastern edge of the area.

The site, broadly located between the River Nene to the west, De Havilland Road to the east, Lynn Road to the south, and Silver Street and Albany Road to the north, comprises mainly derelict, vacant land, says Ms Holland.

However, some existing buildings fronting the streets, as well as the gas works on Chase Street, are not included "although some buildings such as the nightclub fronting Nene Parade and the

Bowling Green public house fronting Lynn Road are included."

Compulsory purchase orders to acquire outstanding land will be determined at an inquiry expected before Christmas.