Last updated at 21:16, Thursday, 09 August 2012

A plan to revamp Workington’s quayside area has been revealed.

Proposals to create 94 homes off Curwen Road, close to the marina, will go before Allerdale planners on Tuesday and are set to be approved.

It is the first stage of a plan that developers Port Derwent Developments LLP say would be “the next major regeneration scheme since the development of Washington Square that will redefine Workington and transform Derwent Howe’s post-industrial decline.”

The wider plans include a waterfront leisure and housing scheme, to be completed in five phases, on land that extends to the end of the quay.

The site is owned by Allerdale council but is subject of an option agreement between Port Derwent Developments and the council.

Port Derwent Developments is in the process of exercising the option to acquire the land.

The company, based in Farnham, Surrey, has applied for outline permission for a 94-home estate of five rows of largely terraced houses, running parallel with the harbour and Curwen Road.

The proposal would be for mainly two and three bedroom terraced and semi-detached homes with a smaller number of four and five bedroom semi-detached houses.

It would include a play area, 188 parking spaces and a level of affordable housing.

Four letters of objection raised concern about increased traffic, removal of plants, trees and wildlife and loss of a footpath.

Planning officers say the applicant considered those concerns and modified plans accordingly.

In 2009 the company was granted permission to build a four-storey 60-bed hotel on the same site, and last year mooted plans for 99 homes there.

In 2006 private firm Rhymer Investments Limited, also based in Farnham, Surrey, outlined a £150 million plan to revamp the area, including a marina with houses, shops, hotel, restaurants and a waste recycling facility.

No one from Port Derwent Developments was available to comment last night.

First published at 19:19, Thursday, 09 August 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk