Harwich Navyard homes bid sparks strong objections

Plans to redevelop part of the site include demolishing some buildings to make way for 139 new houses and a container ship market.

A planning application has been made to Tendring Council to demolish a car park and warehouse, as well as an office building on the Navyard Wharf complex on Kings Quay Street.

But the move has been brandished "abhorrent" by some critics, and many residents are up in arms about the plans.

Proposed - the new promenade and stall containers (Image: Credited) The Navyard was established in the 1600s and objectors have been angered by the plans which they feel affect the history of the area.

More than 80 residents have left comments about the planning application on Tendring Council's website, with many making strongly-worded objections to the proposals.

CGI - this CGI shows plans from back in 2020 (Image: Credited) Harwich resident Janet Goodall said: “The proposal to knock down historic buildings which are part of our heritage is abhorrent. Our history will be destroyed.

“Do not sell or destroy our heritage.”

Kershel Buckle-Hodgson said: “The proposed works are a massive overdevelopment, and directly impactful to a historically important town.

“The property designs are ugly and out of proportion and will detract from our local landmarks and listed houses.

“We believe there is potential to take custom away from local established businesses by introducing new commercial premises without setting out demand for them.”

The plans have been revised, since the original proposals, which was for 300 homes.

The latest application includes an extended waterside promenade with a café, public plaza with water feature, and seating on raised timber decking, overlooking the sea.

If it gets the green light, the proposal would create 339 car spaces, 23 motorcycle spaces, 12 disability spaces, and 317 cycle spaces.

There is also the addition of a new green street in the form of a 'pocket park'.

The  Navyard's existing curved warehouse would remain. 

The first proposal's public promenade "found favour" with Tendring Council, but Historic England and the council considered the apartment blocks and landmark tower were "an inappropriate change of scale".

The proposal says almost 100 full and part-time jobs would be created by the development.