Great Yarmouth Borough Council to negotiate with property owners in next step of North Quay regeneration

A key component of the council's strategy to drive economic growth in the borough, the transformational regeneration of North Quay Riverside Gateway in Great Yarmouth aims to create a new, centrally located neighbourhood complimenting the town centre with strong connections between the railway station and the town centre and waterfront. The four hectares of land earmarked for the project is currently in piecemeal ownership and negotiations with property owners are now set to get underway with the aim of reaching voluntary agreements to acquire land.

Last year, councillors agreed in principle to approve the use of compulsory purchase powers to secure the land required, but it is hoped agreement can be reached using a voluntary acquisition approach with landowners with compulsory purchase powers held in reserve as a last resort.

The council has employed property consultants Lambert Smith Hampton to engage with and conduct negotiations with landowners.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council leader, Councillor Carl Smith, said: "This area is an eyesore and has blighted the entrance to the town from the A47 and from the train station for too long. We are proposing to make generous offers to landowners with incentives to encourage them to engage with us and very much hope we can reach agreement with those affected.

"There is so much potential with the river and Breydon Water on one side and the close link into the town centre on the other. We are determined to unlock that potential for the benefit of the whole borough and to make this key entry point into Great Yarmouth a vibrant new neighbourhood for residents and visitors."

Earlier this year, the council successfully secured £20m from the Government's Levelling Up Fund to help prepare the North Quay site and pay for key infrastructure, unlocking commercial investment in the area.