Reassurances over Amble harbour office building amid redevelopment plans

Warkworth Harbour Commissioners have submitted a planning application for a new harbour office, RSPB facilities and four retail units along the harbour front at Amble.

However, assurances have been given to Amble Town Council that the current commissioners building to the south of the site will not be sold.

Coun Jeff Watson, who is also treasurer of the harbour commissioners, told councillors the £500,000 scheme had been in the development phase for about two years.

“By moving into there it vacates the current premises,” he said. “Exactly what we are going to do with the other building is still under discussion.

“Sooner or later, probably in the new year, we will be telling people that we have this building and see if anyone is interested in using it but we won’t sell it, we are going to retain it.

“It’s not listed but we don’t want it built up or its profile changed.”

He added: “You don’t have to be Einstein to work out that there are two or three retail units in there already and you could use the harbour office as another room.

“It could obviously lend itself to a restaurant or a pub or a centre of some kind.”

The proposed new development is situated on the harbour front and would offer views out to Coquet Island and up the River Coquet to the harbour. It has been designed to be energy efficient, said Coun Watson.The site is currently used for parking. However, the applicant has that the current boundaries of the car park, which has capacity for around 30 vehicles, could be expanded to ensure there is no loss of parking.The commissioners are keen to bring forward development opportunities that will help to regenerate Amble and create employment opportunities.The town has undergone significant redevelopment in recent years, from new housing to shop front improvements on Queen Street and the development of the Harbour Village, Coble Quay, Fourways 2 and a new hotel site on the Enterprise Park.