Annan Harbour regeneration marks official groundbreaking
A groundbreaking ceremony has taken place to mark the official start of work on the £15.65 million Annan Harbour Regeneration project.
The event brought together project partners, funders, councillors and members of the community to celebrate a major milestone for one of the region's most significant community-led regeneration projects.
Led by Annan Harbour Action Group, the project will transform the historic harbour area into a vibrant destination for local people and visitors. It will create a heritage visitor centre, community hub, café, water sports lagoon and improved public spaces, while bringing the former Collett's Building and the Minister's Merse back into productive use.
Benefits
The project is expected to generate more than £27million in economic and social benefits by boosting tourism, increasing visitor spending, creating jobs and skills opportunities and supporting the long-term regeneration of Annan.
It will also provide five new full-time equivalent jobs, support three existing posts, create 10 training places each year and bring 1.4 hectares of vacant and derelict land back into use.
Works include a new footbridge to improve active travel links, environmental improvements to the Minister's Merse, biodiversity enhancements and the creation of a leisure lagoon that will provide new opportunities for recreation and water-based activities.
The ceremony featured the symbolic re-dressing of a 250-year-old block of Corsehill sandstone, replacing a perished stone in the historic harbour warehouse. Stone from the building is being reclaimed wherever possible to preserve its character and heritage while supporting the project's sustainability ambitions.
Initial works
Initial construction activity will include work to create the new leisure lagoon and bridge access to the Minister's Merse.
The area will be rewilded with native species and will feature viewing platforms and a bird hide, allowing visitors to experience parts of the river that have been inaccessible for more than 60 years.
Funders
The £15.65 million project has been made possible through funding of:
- £11.82m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund
- £1.34m from the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme
- £622,000 from the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme
- £416,000 from Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Community Led Economic Regeneration Framework
- £1.45m from South of Scotland Enterprise.
Mike Rodger, Chairman of Annan Harbour Action Group, said:
“After years of decline and neglect, the dreams and vision of a small, determined group of people are now being realised.
"This small charity has demonstrated what can be achieved through dogged determination and when that effort is married to the support of enlightened funders, there is no limit to what can be accomplished.
"Annan is a superb town and its residents deserve this. Very soon, Annan Harbour will be revitalised and the Solway coast will have an exciting new destination for everyone to enjoy.”
Russel Griggs, Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise, said:
“This is one of the most significant days for Annan Harbour and its thousand-year history.
“While the harbour has faced considerable challenges in recent years, the ambitious vision being driven forward by the Annan Harbour Action Group deserves praise and support.
“These regeneration plans will breathe new life into the area, creating a vibrant destination that benefits local people, attracts visitors and strengthens the town’s future.
“Empowering communities to be ambitious, enterprising and sustainable is at the heart of what we do at South of Scotland Enterprise.
"Working alongside local and national partners, we are proud to support this investment, helping to transform Annan Harbour into a thriving asset for the town, the region and future generations.”
Councillor Andy Ferguson, Chair of the council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said:
“The Annan Harbour Regeneration Project is an excellent example of what can be achieved when a strong community vision is backed by partnership working and targeted investment.
"Thanks to the dedication of Annan Harbour Action Group, this important site is being transformed into a place that celebrates Annan’s culture and natural heritage while creating new opportunities for local people and visitors.
“This project will support jobs, skills development, recreation, learning and wellbeing, while helping to attract further regeneration and investment to Annan and the wider region.
"Dumfries and Galloway Council is proud to support this milestone and we look forward to seeing the harbour take shape over the next two years.”
UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said:
"I am delighted the transformation of Annan Harbour – backed by £11.8 million in UK Government Local Regeneration Fund investment – has reached the next delivery phase.
“By restoring a vacant warehouse into a community hub and improving the land around the harbourside, this partnership project will help preserve the area's heritage and transform it into a hub of activity for local residents and visitors to the south of Scotland.
“The UK Government is delivering for Scotland, in total we are investing more than £2.2 billion over 10 years for economic and community renewal across Scotland.”
Scottish Government Business Minister Tom Arthur, said:
“I am pleased to see work starting on the Annan Harbour Regeneration Project which has received nearly £2million from the Scottish Government through our Vacant and Derelict Land Investment, and Place Based Investment programmes.
“I look forward to seeing progress on the work to remove the harmful effects of historic activities while restoring and enhancing the natural biodiversity.
"The project will provide a cultural attraction for visitors as well as creating jobs and boosting the local tourism sector.
"Importantly it will provide space for the community to come together acknowledging the long history of the harbour with a new purpose fit for the future.
“This is an ambitious project driven by the community which will transform the harbour area and foster recreational, cultural, educational and health benefits for the community.”