Riverside Inverclyde

ri SUCCESSES

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Successes

Progress towards key outcomes in 2010/11

Market conditions have continued to be challenging, however on sites in public sector ownership or where ri has build an effective partnership with the private sector, particularly Clydeport at James Watt Dock and East India and Victoria Harbours, project implementation is ongoing.

To date a total investment of £48M has been approved, inclusive of operating costs, marketing and events and feasibility and project development work. Projects were also completed in 2010/11 in support of the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Regeneration Fund for Gourock, Greenock and Port Glasgow and this resource has allowed ri and its partner Inverclyde Council to put together a comprehensive package of improvements that have significantly enhanced the image of the town centres and improved the physical environment and retail experience within each town.

Beyond physical development and implementation there has also been extensive marketing and promotional work including a range of advertorial in various local, regional and national publications - promoting growth sectors such as tourism and energy and renewables.

Work also completed in 2010/11 to review ri’s Business Plan and a new document focusing on 2011/14 was submitted for consideration. Following consultation and a comprehensive options appraisal process, the new Business Plan takes account of the current working environment for ri and builds on success to date. It continues to focus on the initial seven priority areas but has been extended to include Gourock, specifically the Pier Head area and the town centre. There is also a focus on attracting and supporting growth sectors to locate and expand in Inverclyde, particularly renewable energy, tourism and leisure.

In terms of governance, policies and procedures have been monitored and updated annually to take account of changes in legislation and regulation, external audits of ri and ri(PH) Ltd were conducted by Scott Moncrieff who were reappointed by the Board following approval of the accounts for 2009/10.

What we have achieved in 2010/11

In 2010/11, ri has continued to make significant progress across all of its priority areas to meet its objectives and support the local community. These achievements have been summarised below and details of outputs and outcomes achieved to date are set out in Appendix 2:

Harbours/ Cathcart Street

Physical regeneration: The infill of the Lamont dry dock was completed in May 2010. This allowed the new Greenock Arts Guild or Beacon Arts Centre as it is to be known, to start on site in November 2010. The site start was marked by a visit from First Minister Alex Salmond, whilst the Patron of the Greenock Arts Guild, HRH Prince Edward, also attended a civic reception in Inverclyde during which the name of the new theatre was announced. Estimated for completion in June 2012, the theatre will provide a focal point for performing arts and help improve Inverclyde’s attraction as a visitor destination.

The Grade A listed Custom House was acquired by ri (Property Holdings) Ltd in January 2011. Up until December 2010, this elegant and imposing architectural landmark was the only working custom house in Scotland. Since the tenant H M Customs & Excise vacated the building in December 2010 there was a real danger of this historically and culturally important building falling into a state of serious disrepair. ri have secured the short-term future of the building and plans for the long-term redevelopment are being investigated in more detail.

The remainder of the Harbours/Cathcart Street development area has been affected by the continuing effects of the global credit crisis and subsequent impact on the residential development market. Despite this significant challenge ri’s development partner Clydeport has undertaken environmental improvements on site until such time as market conditions improve and the originally intended residential development led masterplan becomes viable once again.

Cartsburn/Cartsdyke

Physical regeneration: In early 2010, a public sector occupier- led development proposal was considered by the ri PHC Board. However, the site has been identified as a strategic employment site and preference has been given to a private sector led development solution for the site.

In response to private sector occupier requirement ri launched a campaign to find a development partner for the site. A neighbouring international company expressed an interest in occupying up to 45,000 sq ft of purpose-built office accommodation on site. This is the preferred development route for this key ri Business Plan site.

Liaison with Transport Scotland and Scottish Water has resulted in securing the necessary consents to install a drainage solution which will provide capacity for up to 75,000 sq ft of development on the site.

In August 2010, a bid was prepared for the newly introduced JESSICA (Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas) funding model. The bid sought £1.9M towards a speculative office development scheme. The outcome of the funding bid is awaited later in 2011.

Area 3: Riverside Business Park

Economic regeneration: ri’s flagship office development at Clyde View has continued to attract tenants throughout 2010/11 including Goltens(UK)Ltd, Childcare Training Solutions Ltd and Cigna. The first phase office development is now fully let.

Other notable successes on this key business plan site during 2010/11 include the conversion of the bungalow building on Pottery Street from an office to a café restaurant. The building work was carried out by local contractor WH Kirkwood following advertisement through the Inverclyde Construction Forum. The property has been let to a local employer creating six full-time employment posts in the process.

In addition the new bespoke children’s nursery has been completed at Riverside Business Park (RBP). The building extends to 400 sq m and has created capacity for up to 64 children. The project has created several construction jobs through ri’s commitment to local community benefit clauses and 21 permanent jobs ranging from nursery nurse to management positions.

Other supporting works carried out on site during the 2010/2011 period include site signage works, roads adoption preparation as well as landscaping to the RBP Phase 2 site including advance works to create an overspill car park for the Tall Ships event in July 2011.

James Watt Dock

Physical regeneration: Following competitive tender through the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), RJ McLeod (RJM) were appointed as contractor and 14 local residents were taken on to complete the scheme as part of ri’s commitment to local benefits through major construction contracts. The new James Watt Dock access road was completed in July 2010. This new site entrance, with traffic signals, will provide sufficient roads traffic capacity for the redevelopment of the 107 acre site.

The design of the new public realm space to the west of the James Watt Dock has been completed and the contract tendered. RJM were appointed and started on site in February 2011. Work was finished in time for the 2011 Tall Ships race in July. The creation of a public open space around James Watt Square has helped create an attractive environment for James Watt Dock marina and enhanced the wider redevelopment of the masterplan site.

The James Watt Dock Marina Operator has been independently tendered and appointed. The Marina Operator has helped design and manage the new marina facilities at JWD with the first phase of 65 berths being provided by August 2011. At the end of August 2011, 30 boats were berthed at the marina.

James Watt Dock (JWD) saw an intense level of work completed in time for the Tall Ships Event in July 2011. The £1.3M public realm contract at James Watt Square was completed as well as the installation of the initial phase of berthing facilities at JWD Marina, with associated pontoons and marina offices.

Beyond the Tall Ships Race, JWD LLP will focus on attracting other occupiers within the Sugar Warehouse that will complement the marina offices. Site preparation works will be advanced throughout JWD to prepare the site for future development.

Town Centres

In an effort to link this area with other ri-led regeneration initiatives in and around the town centres, a high quality landscaped activity and events space has been created at the entrance to Cathcart Street. New signage and an eye-catching sculpture not only herald a visitor’s arrival in Greenock but also provide a direct and visually pleasing pedestrian link across the A8 between the old town and the new waterside developments.

Kelburn

Physical regeneration: A second phase of platforming work was completed in May 2010 resulting in a total platformed area for development of 2.61 hectares of industrial land, with an extended site access road and sustainable urban drainage system.

A further complimentary phase of landscaping was carried out in early 2011 to help improve the marketability for the site.

Outline plans have been development for up to 4,000 sq m of industrial development on the east end of the site. A private sector development partners is currently being sought to assist to ri develop the site for modern industrial and office accommodation.

Gourock

Economic restructuring: Riverside Inverclyde has added the Gourock Pier Head as an eighth Business Plan priority area. This provides ri with an opportunity to deliver cohesive waterfront regeneration in each of Inverclyde’s three principle towns.

Three separate regeneration proposals have been developed and considered with ri’s funding partners. The preferred development framework has been identified and further feasibility work will be undertaken before the project budget is confirmed and presented for approval.

Under the Town Centre Regeneration Fund Gourock’s shop fronts have been cosmetically enhanced to highlight the many individual, specialist services offered. New floral displays and an upgraded parkland entrance area with a charming new sculptural art form provide a warm welcome to visitors.