Vital Salcombe Harbour redevelopment plans will give town 'big boost'
Major redevelopment plans in Salcombe that will help the town to remain a sustainable and viable coastal community for years to come are set to get council backing.
South Hams District Council’s executive backed proposals for the construction of five new commercial units, to create and support local jobs, and a new workshop that will ensure that the Salcombe Harbour Authority can continue to deliver first class customer service.
Five new commercial units in Batson Creek, in an effort to create jobs and support local enterprise, will be created by the project which will begin to address issues which are vital in enabling the area to diversify and continue to thrive as a marine hub.
And the Salcombe Harbour team is to receive a big boost of its own, with a new modern, purpose built facility to replace the older outdated facility located on Island Street.
The project will ensure the authority can undertake its operational duties in a safe and efficient manner and future the use of wider vessels to meet tightening restrictions.
The council’s executive, when they met on Thursday afternoon, recommended to full council that they proceed with the two projects.
Cllr Judy Pearce, leader of South Hams District Council and ward member for Salcombe and Thurlestone, said: “Ever since the employment unit project was first mooted, I have been behind the project, in the hopes of providing much needed extra employment space in Salcombe. It’s really good news at last that the project is moving forward.”
She added: “The harbour team do such brilliant work and really need more space and a state of the art work shop and facilities to be able to offer the best and safest service to residents and visitors.
“I am so pleased that this project will move forward in tandem with the employment units and free up their present space for new businesses. It is exciting that at long last this is becoming a reality.”
Cllr Mark Long, ward member for Salcombe and Thurlestone, added: “The provision of new employment units has been talked about for a long time and at last we have the opportunity to provide sustainable and affordable workspace for small local businesses. These are essential to keep our small businesses operating in town, allow them to grow and provide employment where it is needed. The project timing will help the surrounding area to help move on from the impact of Covid.”
Much of the interest in the new industrial units has come from local marine services and commercial operators on the estuary who are crucial in keeping Salcombe Harbour safe, fun and functioning each season.
The units would cost in excess of £1 million to construct. They would be sited close to the Creek Car Park, where the boats are stored each winter, away from the constraints of Island Street. Each unit would have its own parking and loading area, but space would remain for trailer parking during the summer season. The existing recycling bank and oil disposal point would be relocated as part of the plans, but would remain close by.
The new harbour team workshop would have a large service area, incorporating an integrated hoist system and sufficient space to service the boats inside, which would prove crucially important in the winter months.
The building would include changing and mess rooms, as well as office and meeting space and it would have a 30m² solar array on the roof which should provide the power requirements for its operation when the sun shines.
Planning permission for the two schemes had previously been granted back in July 2019, and Cllr Hilary Bastone, executive member for enterprise, said: “The current facilities are becoming increasingly unsuitable for the Harbour Authority to undertake their operational duties in a safe and efficient manner, owing to lack of space and restricted vehicle access.
“The new depot has been designed in close partnership with the Salcombe Harbour Authority, who are the end user, and as such will create a modern, purpose built, two-storey facility to replace the older and outdated facility located on Island Street.”
Full council, when they meet on March 25, were recommended to grant approval to go ahead with the projects.