Proposals to progress four major investment projects in Ramsgate, covering the Clock House, Pier Yard, highway works and the new Green Campus, have been published by Thanet District Council.
Now part of a Simplification Pathfinder Pilot1, the schemes are all funded by various grants, from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG),
Each of the four project sites has been through early design stages with council-appointed design teams. They are now ready to be passed to an external contractor to complete the remaining design and construction delivery. The report outlines the status of the projects, highlighting the objectives for each.
Ramsgate Clock House
The refurbishment of the Ramsgate Clock House was included as part of the original Ramsgate Levelling Up Fund submission. The scheme aims to refurbish the Grade II* Listed structure, create a heritage centre for the town and add a new café.
The original project was based on a successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid. As this was ultimately unsuccessful, the scheme has undergone a number of iterations. Re-designed plans now reflect the available budget of £1,785,000.
The council is working towards the development of the operating model for the future running of the Heritage Hub. A planning application is due to be submitted in December 2024. It will include a café facility to the side of the Clock House. The ambition is for it to support the sustainability of the Heritage Hub, by providing a small income for the maintenance of the building.
Ramsgate Pier Yard and Highways works
The Pier Yard public realm scheme was part of the original Ramsgate Levelling Up Fund submission and the Highways works was part of the Future High Street Fund bid.
The two schemes have been combined to benefit from one construction contractor and programme. This allows the council to make the most of the funding available for urban realm works and ensure they’re complimentary.
In the Pier Yard car park, the scheme aims to make changes to the public realm, including removing the parking to create a public square.
The aim of the highway works is to improve the roundabout and crossing points along Harbour Parade, Military Road and Royal Parade. The focus is on specific areas of concern that have been highlighted through public and stakeholder engagement. The works will improve connectivity between the town centre and harbour areas.
The Planning Application and S278 Agreements needed to deliver the scheme through Kent County Council are targeted for approval/completion by May 2025. The total budget is £2,955,264.
Ramsgate Green Campus
The Green Campus scheme was awarded funding as part of the Levelling Up Fund. The original scheme anticipated a level of match-funding from the private sector. This has not been forthcoming and is currently not secured.
The design has therefore developed to be a phased scheme achievable within the budget of £6,101,350. The first phase includes two buildings; a public-facing central core for the Green Campus, with café, conference and meeting facilities, and the first workspace block, to support small and new maritime businesses, as well as provide education opportunities.
The proposal in the report is that procurement for all four projects is brought together under one works contract. This would result in one main contractor being responsible for delivering the construction works for these four schemes.
The report will be considered for comment by members of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel next Tuesday, 15 October, and will then go on to to Cabinet for approval at a meeting on Thursday 24 October, taking into consideration any recommendations from the Panel.
-ends-
1. Simplification Path Finder Pilot is a new way for the council to report back to government on three capital programmes funded by MHCLG. The programmes are the Future High Street Fund, Town Deal and the Levelling Up Fund.
