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Council wins CPO judgement on Nene Parade area land

The CPO judgement means that the Council has won the right to acquire all the sites in the Nene Parade area. The judgement means the partners, the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), the national regeneration agency English Partnerships, the European Regeneration Development Fund administered by Go-East and the Council, as well as housing developers Taylor Woodrow Developments Ltd, now have a green light to begin the process of developing the site.Prior to the CPO application, the Council made strenuous efforts to negotiate purchase of the land. This had resulted in the purchase of four of the key sites, including the former print works, former pub and former storage land to the east of Bedford Street. 

On the day of the CPO hearing, the sale was agreed on another site on Nene Parade and contracts were exchanged last week on the site of Jack’s Night Club. So, by the time of the CPO decision, only the slipway and the old gas works site were still in dispute.The Inspector has confirmed the CPO on the former gas works site as it was key to the overall comprehensive regeneration of this quarter of Wisbech. He was not persuaded that the slipway was essential to the overall development. However, he accepted that it was desirable and the Council will be looking further at that decision. 

 It is still the intention of the Council to develop the marine sector hub around the new wet dock and boatlift facility as it will enhance the services to the growing number of boat owners filling the new pontoons that have been installed as a key element of the development.The CPO decision spells good news for the development of the Nene Parade site as it means that there is no practical impediment to plans to develop the Boathouse complex, pedestrian prioritisation of Nene Parade and the construction of more than 300 modern homes. In addition, the acquisition of all the sites supports the proposal of the key developer partner, Taylor Woodrow Development Ltd, who have recently submitted detailed planning application for their exciting development. 

Gary Garford, Council Director of Business and Infrastructure, said: “The Inspector’s decision means that we can really start to make progress on regenerating Wisbech. The land has been derelict long enough and the Council and our partners have a clear vision that the Nene Waterfront development will make a dramatic economic difference to Wisbech and the rest of Fenland.“On the slipway issue, we will be looking closely at what the Inspector had to say before make our next move. We have every intention of creating the best possible marine support services for the growing number of people who are recognising that Wisbech has ideal mooring facilities.”