Major dredging works could take place as part of a £25million pound project to put Great Yarmouth at the forefront of the renewable energy sector.

New plans lodged by Norfolk County Council with the Marine Management Organisation outline that a stretch of the river near South Denes Road will have roughly 1,500 tonnes dug from the river bed.

The dredging work is related to the construction on the South Denes peninsula of a £25m offshore energy campus.

It is expected that larger "draughted vessels" - up to 90 metres in stature - will be able to pass through more easily once the work is complete.

Great Yarmouth has been chosen as the operations and maintenance base for Vattenfall's Norfolk Offshore Wind ZoneGreat Yarmouth has been chosen as the operations and maintenance base for Vattenfall's Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone (Image: Vattenfall)

The larger boats will normally be carrying staff and supplies for the maintenance of wind turbines. 

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As per the plans, the extracted sediment would then be deposited out at sea - dependent on test results to ensure the dredged material will not cause harm to marine life.

Great Yarmouth is already home to some of the country’s largest developers and the operational and maintenance bases for their wind farms.

 

It is hoped that redeveloping this part of the South Denes Peninsula will capitalise on the east coast’s offshore renewables sector and the Enterprise Zone that covers sites in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, creating a significant economic opportunity.

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Councillor Fabian Eagle, cabinet member for economic growthCouncillor Fabian Eagle, cabinet member for economic growth (Image: Swaffham Town Council)

Councillor Fabian Eagle, Norfolk County Council's cabinet member for economic growth, said: "The offshore energy sector provides Great Yarmouth and Norfolk with arguably the single most important economic opportunity for a generation.

"Oil and gas has been a mainstay of the local economy for over 50 years and the recent emergence of offshore renewables has presented Great Yarmouth's port, its supply chain and its skills base with the chance of enjoying hugely significant growth and investment.

"The potential of this site to enhance our regional economy has been widely recognised and its delivery alongside the direct port access provided by the new Herring bridge will enable us to realise these benefits as quickly as possible.”

An artist's impression of what the whole Operations and Maintenance Campus area in South Denes, Great Yarmouth, could look like once redevelopedAn artist's impression of what the whole Operations and Maintenance Campus area in South Denes, Great Yarmouth, could look like once redeveloped (Image: NCC)