MAJOR plans to completely transform Harwich Navyard into a site for hundreds of homes have been lodged to a council.
Navyard Limited has applied to build 373 houses and flats, a commercial area, public space and parking in a development off King’s Quay Street, in Harwich.
The plans, sent to Tendring Council, show the developer intends to create a new “mixed-use” quarter for Old Harwich by “taking the grain and density of the existing place as inspiration for a new development”.
The design and access statement, lodged to the council’s planning portal, said: “The scheme will focus on high quality public space and modern means of living which maximise views out to the sea and provide on-plot parking.”
The proposed development also includes a new promenade walk linking Quayside with Angelgate which would incorporate key landmarks of the historic town.
Public amenity space at the Naval House is also set to provide the opportunity for markets, festivals and passenger ship docking at the King’s Yard.
A public consultation into the plans was held last September at the 1912 Centre, in Harwich, and following feedback from Tendring Council officers and residents, the developer revised the plans in the latest application.
The revised plans include new public spaces such as the HMS Conqueror Plaza, encompassing a raised promenade, a split-level café, public toilets and water features.
A landmark building marking the entrance to Harwich International Port, with a restaurant at its base, as well as a terrace of shops, offices and community-use spaces are also set to be built along King’s Quay Street.
The 373 homes will be constructed in a contemporary style in a mix of sizes from one-bedroom flats with expansive sea views, to detached five-bedroom villas on the water’s edge .
A total of 94 per cent of the homes will have direct access to private or semi-private outdoor amenity space.
About 659 vehicular parking spaces, 42 motorcycle parking spaces, and 601 bicycle parking spaces will be built.
The proposal has been developed over a number of years in close collaboration with both Tendring Council and Essex County Council.
The design and access statement said: “It brings many substantial benefits that make it both compelling and deliverable.”
Allan Binks, chairman of a shipping service called Mann Lines based at Harwich Navyard, has welcomed the news.
He said it was a project which was “long overdue” with everyone talking about it in the past 15 years.
He added: “The plans will benefit the town as a whole because Harwich needs a regeneration project.
“The town has fallen behind in the East of England region and needs to take every opportunity to modernise.
“We will go towards giving Harwich a big boost.
“I think it will tremendously help the town, providing more jobs, drawing in more visitors and making it a much nicer place for everybody.”
Mr Binks said the company will have to relocate in Harwich, but claims it will help the business expand.
He said the Navyard is no longer able to meet the needs of the roll-on-roll-off market, due to bigger ships and more cargo coming into the terminal.
He added: “They won’t suffer anymore from the constraints of the Navyard.”
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