Land deals for Great Yarmouth's North Quay revamp project

The £20m redevelopment of the North Quay is about to take its next step as Great Yarmouth Borough Council announced it will soon begin work acquiring the necessary land to deliver the project.

The council plans to redevelop the area into the "North Quay Riverside Gateway" using £20m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund.

The Conge will be regenerated as part of the council's plans. Picture - Google (Image: Google)

The project aims to create stronger links between the town centre, train station and Breydon Water.

The four hectares of land earmarked for the project is currently in piecemeal ownership.

The council says negotiations with property owners are set to get underway to reach 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 the council hopes an agreement can be reached using a voluntary acquisition approach, with compulsory purchase powers being a last resort.

Council leader 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 an 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."

Some of the levelling-up fund, plus £2.2m from the council, will also be used to pay for improvements to the town’s railway station, including improved cycling and walking paths.

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