Post by Historic Docks on Jan 28, 2009 16:41:33 GMT
RIVERSIDE INVERCLYDE LAUNCHES £180M JAMES WATT DOCK DEVELOPMENT
www.riversideinverclyde.com/page/news_news/&id=36
On Friday 28 November, Riverside Inverclyde (ri) launched one of the largest-ever individual regeneration projects yet seen in Scotland, with Greenock's iconic Grade “A” listed Sugar Warehouse at its heart.
The £180M redevelopment of Inverclyde's historic James Watt Dock by Riverside Inverclyde and Peel, one of the UK's leading property and transport companies, will see the creation of state-of-the-art commercial, marina and leisure facilities set alongside modern residential and retail space.
The visionary project has been welcomed by Stewart Maxwell MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Communities and Sport, who attended the ceremony to mark the project's formal launch on the 28th.
Over a ten year period the redevelopment of the 50-acre dock will:
- generate over £180M of public/private investment;
- create some 1,700 jobs;
- build in excess of 750 residential units;
- provide in excess of £10M-worth of social housing, first phase developed by River Clyde Homes (85 units);
- establish 45,000 sq ft of retail space;
- create 145,600 sq ft of commercial space;
- enhance some 480 metres of waterfront ;
- develop a 400+ berth marina; and
- breathe life back into the iconic “A”- listed Sugar Warehouse.
The project is being delivered via a new Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) between Riverside Inverclyde and Peel.
At the 28 November launch, Stewart Maxwell MSP endorsed the formal signing of the LLP on behalf of the Scottish Government.
While work at James Watt Dock has already started - one early outcome has been to protect the Sugar Warehouse and make it wind and water-tight and improve the red brick boundary wall - the pace will now increase.
In the first instance, the focus of activity will be on the creation of road access; site investigation and enabling works and environmental improvements to allow first phase developments to take place and prepare the wider site for the visit of the Tall Ships Race to James Watt Dock in 2011.
As well as the project's significant headline figures in terms of jobs, housing, retail and commerce, heritage and leisure, there will be further community benefits. These include supply chain guarantees that will give local companies businesses opportunities, and special training clauses in some contracts that will offer local people the chance to gain the skills to let them take up local job opportunities created by the project and other projects being developed by Riverside Inverclyde and partner organisations.
This project is the flagship within ri's overall programme of work and Chief Executive, Bill Nicol said: “I'm delighted that we've arrived at this red-letter day for Inverclyde businesses, Inverclyde communities, and Inverclyde's future. Gradually this project will transform an area that in former days was the absolute hub of Greenock. Through this project, we will be building one of the most outstanding and vibrant locations in Scotland to live and work in, that will be the envy of many.”
He continued: "I am personally looking forward to working closely with Euan Jamieson of Peel; Inverclyde Council; Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government to deliver what will be a true sustainable community and one which we will jointly be proud of when the project is complete. A lot of work has gone into the project to get it to this stage in terms of securing the necessary finance and developing a deliverable package of development, and credit goes to my hard working team and support from ri's Property Holding Company and main Board.”
Alf Young, ri's Chairman, said: "Creating this partnership marks a significant milestone in Riverside Inverclyde's mission to reclaim and regenerate an iconic stretch of waterfront for the communities of the Lower Clyde. Times may be tough today but that should not diminish our ambitions for a more prosperous future for Inverclyde."
Speaking on behalf of Peel, Euan Jamieson said: “The James Watt Dock site is a huge opportunity, both from the point of view of location and potential, and it is important for the regeneration of Inverclyde. It is also a major challenge, with historic issues of low demand and infrastructure, and has resisted development for over two decades.”
“However it has been demonstrated that enormous strides can be made in social and economic regeneration when the public and private sector work together. We believe James Watt Dock will further demonstrate this, with the partnership of Peel and Riverside Inverclyde bringing together the public and private sectors on an equal basis, and providing funding resources to bring about this redevelopment.”
“Planning applications are now being prepared, including a masterplan with an environmental impact statement to ensure all issues are fully addressed. This is being done in full partnership and consultation with Inverclyde Council.”
At the opening ceremony, Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell echoed the ambitions of the partnership saying: “The redevelopment of the James Watt Dock will breathe new life into Inverclyde and bring great benefits to those who live here, generating jobs and investment and creating new homes and a range of leisure and retail facilities.”
“The Scottish Government is committed to helping households, businesses and encouraging development in these challenging times. These are the key themes of our Economic Recovery Plan and why we are investing £22 million in the regeneration of Inverclyde.”
“This project demonstrates that effective joint working between the public and private sectors can create certainty and confidence despite current market conditions. This will accelerate the ambitious programme to transform Inverclyde and ensure its proud heritage of the past heralds a bright new future.”
Councillor Jim Clocherty, Convenor of Inverclyde Council's Regeneration Committee said: "This is one of the biggest investments in Inverclyde in a generation. It is testimony to all of the hard work being done by Riverside Inverclyde, the Council and our partner agencies to give people the opportunities and quality of life they deserve. This investment will put Inverclyde firmly on the map as a perfect place to live, work and relax."
Allan McQuade, director of Riverside Inverclyde URC and director of business infrastructure at Scottish Enterprise said: “Scottish Enterprise is very supportive of the James Watt Dock development proposals which join together the area regeneration skills of Riverside Inverclyde URC and the proven development and management experience of the Peel organisation. It is a genuine public/private sector partnership and we wish the venture every success. We are confident that the James Watt Dock area will become a genuine lifestyle development of which the people of Inverclyde will be justifiably proud."
Chief Executive of River Clyde Homes, Karen Neary added: “River Clyde Homes is delighted to be making an early contribution to the regeneration of James Watt Dock through the provision of affordable housing at a landmark waterfront site.
“The development will be the first of its kind with homes available for rent on the banks of the River Clyde ensuring that real people are at the heart of the plans to transform a site of significant local and national heritage.”
www.riversideinverclyde.com/page/news_news/&id=36
On Friday 28 November, Riverside Inverclyde (ri) launched one of the largest-ever individual regeneration projects yet seen in Scotland, with Greenock's iconic Grade “A” listed Sugar Warehouse at its heart.
The £180M redevelopment of Inverclyde's historic James Watt Dock by Riverside Inverclyde and Peel, one of the UK's leading property and transport companies, will see the creation of state-of-the-art commercial, marina and leisure facilities set alongside modern residential and retail space.
The visionary project has been welcomed by Stewart Maxwell MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Communities and Sport, who attended the ceremony to mark the project's formal launch on the 28th.
Over a ten year period the redevelopment of the 50-acre dock will:
- generate over £180M of public/private investment;
- create some 1,700 jobs;
- build in excess of 750 residential units;
- provide in excess of £10M-worth of social housing, first phase developed by River Clyde Homes (85 units);
- establish 45,000 sq ft of retail space;
- create 145,600 sq ft of commercial space;
- enhance some 480 metres of waterfront ;
- develop a 400+ berth marina; and
- breathe life back into the iconic “A”- listed Sugar Warehouse.
The project is being delivered via a new Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) between Riverside Inverclyde and Peel.
At the 28 November launch, Stewart Maxwell MSP endorsed the formal signing of the LLP on behalf of the Scottish Government.
While work at James Watt Dock has already started - one early outcome has been to protect the Sugar Warehouse and make it wind and water-tight and improve the red brick boundary wall - the pace will now increase.
In the first instance, the focus of activity will be on the creation of road access; site investigation and enabling works and environmental improvements to allow first phase developments to take place and prepare the wider site for the visit of the Tall Ships Race to James Watt Dock in 2011.
As well as the project's significant headline figures in terms of jobs, housing, retail and commerce, heritage and leisure, there will be further community benefits. These include supply chain guarantees that will give local companies businesses opportunities, and special training clauses in some contracts that will offer local people the chance to gain the skills to let them take up local job opportunities created by the project and other projects being developed by Riverside Inverclyde and partner organisations.
This project is the flagship within ri's overall programme of work and Chief Executive, Bill Nicol said: “I'm delighted that we've arrived at this red-letter day for Inverclyde businesses, Inverclyde communities, and Inverclyde's future. Gradually this project will transform an area that in former days was the absolute hub of Greenock. Through this project, we will be building one of the most outstanding and vibrant locations in Scotland to live and work in, that will be the envy of many.”
He continued: "I am personally looking forward to working closely with Euan Jamieson of Peel; Inverclyde Council; Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government to deliver what will be a true sustainable community and one which we will jointly be proud of when the project is complete. A lot of work has gone into the project to get it to this stage in terms of securing the necessary finance and developing a deliverable package of development, and credit goes to my hard working team and support from ri's Property Holding Company and main Board.”
Alf Young, ri's Chairman, said: "Creating this partnership marks a significant milestone in Riverside Inverclyde's mission to reclaim and regenerate an iconic stretch of waterfront for the communities of the Lower Clyde. Times may be tough today but that should not diminish our ambitions for a more prosperous future for Inverclyde."
Speaking on behalf of Peel, Euan Jamieson said: “The James Watt Dock site is a huge opportunity, both from the point of view of location and potential, and it is important for the regeneration of Inverclyde. It is also a major challenge, with historic issues of low demand and infrastructure, and has resisted development for over two decades.”
“However it has been demonstrated that enormous strides can be made in social and economic regeneration when the public and private sector work together. We believe James Watt Dock will further demonstrate this, with the partnership of Peel and Riverside Inverclyde bringing together the public and private sectors on an equal basis, and providing funding resources to bring about this redevelopment.”
“Planning applications are now being prepared, including a masterplan with an environmental impact statement to ensure all issues are fully addressed. This is being done in full partnership and consultation with Inverclyde Council.”
At the opening ceremony, Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell echoed the ambitions of the partnership saying: “The redevelopment of the James Watt Dock will breathe new life into Inverclyde and bring great benefits to those who live here, generating jobs and investment and creating new homes and a range of leisure and retail facilities.”
“The Scottish Government is committed to helping households, businesses and encouraging development in these challenging times. These are the key themes of our Economic Recovery Plan and why we are investing £22 million in the regeneration of Inverclyde.”
“This project demonstrates that effective joint working between the public and private sectors can create certainty and confidence despite current market conditions. This will accelerate the ambitious programme to transform Inverclyde and ensure its proud heritage of the past heralds a bright new future.”
Councillor Jim Clocherty, Convenor of Inverclyde Council's Regeneration Committee said: "This is one of the biggest investments in Inverclyde in a generation. It is testimony to all of the hard work being done by Riverside Inverclyde, the Council and our partner agencies to give people the opportunities and quality of life they deserve. This investment will put Inverclyde firmly on the map as a perfect place to live, work and relax."
Allan McQuade, director of Riverside Inverclyde URC and director of business infrastructure at Scottish Enterprise said: “Scottish Enterprise is very supportive of the James Watt Dock development proposals which join together the area regeneration skills of Riverside Inverclyde URC and the proven development and management experience of the Peel organisation. It is a genuine public/private sector partnership and we wish the venture every success. We are confident that the James Watt Dock area will become a genuine lifestyle development of which the people of Inverclyde will be justifiably proud."
Chief Executive of River Clyde Homes, Karen Neary added: “River Clyde Homes is delighted to be making an early contribution to the regeneration of James Watt Dock through the provision of affordable housing at a landmark waterfront site.
“The development will be the first of its kind with homes available for rent on the banks of the River Clyde ensuring that real people are at the heart of the plans to transform a site of significant local and national heritage.”
