Building project bid in final stages

A MULTI-MILLION pound building project that aims to bring new jobs and affordable homes to Great Yarmouth reaches a crucial final stage this month.

An attempt to rescue the 111-unit development at Runham Vauxhall with Government money has made it to stage two of a bidding round under its Kickstart scheme.

Although planning permission for Breydon View was granted almost four years ago the cold economic climate and slump in the building trade means the project has stalled.

Now Norwich-based Heritage Developments, the company behind the scheme, is working towards submitting a detailed bid by January 27.

Managing director Matt Bartram, said that because of the complexity of the application which was split into several bids it was difficult to say how much Kickstart funding could potentially be awarded.

He said the funding was “absolutely critical” in the current market, adding: “Because of the nature of the site it is not the easiest to build on. The whole site has to be piled. We have section 106 agreements to stand by and in the current market conditions things are just not stacking up. We are hoping for better conditions in 2010, but the whole area is still very uncertain. If we get the funding we will start immediately. It will create jobs and some much-needed housing and we have prove we can deliver the whole project by 2012, which we can.”

Tracey Slater, housing policy manager at Great Yarmouth Borough Council, which is supporting the bid said the mixed housing scheme included 64 units for sale with the rest for social rent and shared ownership schemes.

Mick Castle, whose council ward includes Runham Vauxhall, said it was potentially very good news for the town. “There is not much house building going on with the economic conditions and this helps things to happen. It gives a nice signal that Yarmouth is moving forward and providing housing for those who need it as well.”