The next step for regeneration projects at Ramsgate’s Clock House, Pier Yard, Green Campus at the Port and a highways scheme will be discussed by Thanet councillors this month.
The schemes are funded through successful bids to the government’s Levelling Up Fund and the Future High Street Fund.
Ramsgate received £2.7m from the Future High Street Funds granted in 2019 and £19.8m from the Levelling Up Fund granted in 2021.
The funds now come under a Simplification pilot that brings together £51m in funding for the Ramsgate schemes, the Margate Digital project and the £22,2m Margate Town Deal in one pot.
The Clock House, Pier Yard, Campus and highway project sites have 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.
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, creating a heritage centre for the town and 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 changes for the available budget of £1,785,000. This included removing plans for a restaurant but there will be a café.
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 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 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.
In the Pier Yard car park, the scheme aims to remove the parking and 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 and 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.
The design is now for a phased scheme with a 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 planning application for the Green Campus scheme is due to be submitted this month with a planning committee date in early 2025.
The proposal in a report to councillors 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 the four schemes.
The report will be considered for comment by members of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel next Tuesday, 15 October.
It will then go on to Cabinet for approval at a meeting on Thursday 24 October, taking into consideration any recommendations from the Panel.
