11 July 2008
Derwent Forest gets the green light
Allerdale Borough Council and Cumbria County Council have today
welcomed the Northwest Regional Development Agency’s (NWDA)
agreement of the terms for the two councils to buy the former
munitions site at Broughton Moor, ensuring the next step forward
for the Derwent Forest project.
At a board meeting, the NWDA also agreed to work with the two
councils on maintaining the site and marketing it to private
developers interested in transforming it into a leisure
complex.
Ian Haythornthwaite, executive director of resources at the
NWDA, said: “The Agency is very pleased to have agreed terms with
Allerdale Borough Council and Cumbria County Council regarding the
acquisition of the Broughton Moor site.
“These terms include the Agency covering the site maintenance
and security costs for a period of three years, together with
assistance in marketing the site for development. If after this
time a developer has not been found, Allerdale Borough Council and
Cumbria County Council will either retain ownership of the site or
sell it on the open market.
“These terms have now been agreed by the NWDA Board who have
endorsed the proposal to proceed with the development of the site.
I am very pleased that by working together in partnership we have
been able to move the project forward in such a positive way.”
Councillor Joe Milburn, Leader of Allerdale Borough Council,
said: “This is fantastic news. At last we can move ahead with plans
to market the site as a world class leisure attraction to
developers.
“We would like to thank the people of Allerdale and the MOD,
which owns the land, for being patient while details were hammered
out. Hopefully now we can press ahead with the joint purchase of
the site and showcasing its potential to investors who can deliver
our district what it deserves – an outstanding development that
will bring with it the opportunity of jobs and prosperity, making
Allerdale a great place to live, work and visit.”
Tony Markley, Cumbria County Council cabinet member for Economic
Development and Regeneration, said: "It's great news that we are
now on track to start marketing the Derwent Forest site. We will
now continue working closely with Allerdale Borough Council to find
the right developer with the right project for this important site
so it can start delivering benefits for local communities and the
local economy."
Simon Sjenitzer, strategy director at Cumbria Vision, said: “The
Northwest Regional Development Agency’s approval is great news for
the Derwent Forest project, one of the biggest brownfield
regeneration sites in the United Kingdom.
“Reaching this stage is testament to the strong working
relationship that has been established between partners. We are now
looking forward to the official handover over so that we can
finally begin to unlock Derwent Forest’s considerable economic
potential.
“With these foundations in place we can now shape our plan to
market the site and realise the shared vision of a vibrant mix of
leisure, residential, business, outdoor and academic uses in one of
the most beautiful settings in the country.”
Bob Pointing, chief executive of West Lakes Renaissance, added:
“This decision is another important milestone in the regeneration
of the Derwent Forest site.
“West Lakes Renaissance is pleased the project remains on track
and now looks forward to the official handover of the site and a
new impetus in transforming the former armaments depot into a high
quality mixed development.
“There is still a long way to go, but partners can now kick
start the plan to market the site and, most important of all, find
the right development for the site.”
Geoff Dixon, senior estate surveyor at Defence Estates, said
that after many years of discussion with the two councils and their
partners, the MoD was delighted that the sale of the site could now
proceed.
ENDS
Notes
1. For more information contact Daniel Cattanach or Helen Murphy on
01900 702526, corp.comms@allerdale.gov.uk