The Trust’s Regeneration Plan for the Basin in 2013

The Regeneration Plan for Faversham Creek Basin

has not really changed since 2013

Read how we saw the Bridge then

Summary

Since 2011 the Faversham Creek Trust has been working towards a regeneration plan that focuses on the upper part of Faversham Creek above the Brents Swing Bridge. The plan was first submitted to the Local Plan forum of the Creek Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group in November 2012. What appears here is a brief overview, revised for submission to the Faversham Town Council in November 2013.

We believe there is a unique opportunity for change in the centre of this historic town with significant economic and social benefits for residents and visitors alike. Our plan is based on the creation of a viable maritime economic facility, with workshops, moorings and a training school to serve the existing fleet of traditional vessels in the Thames Estuary.

The plan will be a team effort, with combined effort from several stakeholders including a charitable trust, a community association, identified private investors, and local and regional authorities.

The key elements

1. The regeneration of Ordnance Wharf as a single-storey marine workshop with office and community centre with access from Flood Lane, in conformity with the current local plan, the existing conservation area, and the plan now under preparation by the Brents Community Association. A potential purchaser has been confirmed subject to Ordnance Wharf not being re- zoned for housing. Implementation mid-2015.

2. The existing restored Purifier Building to be a training centre for students and apprentices to be run in conjunction with the Ordnance Wharf workshop. The five year plan envisages 18 students with an eventual capacity for 36 students per year. Implementation late 2015. There are also two specialist workshop units and a room for community activities.

3. The restoration of the BMM Weston Creek frontage outside the existing car park with the co- operation of the owner, on a long lease in exchange for the restoration cost. The resulting wharf (with back filling of a new piled frontage from the waterside) will provide moorings for up to ten sailing barges and smacks and a green amenity space along the current footpath. A private company will meet the cost of the operation to commence when the KCC has replaced the current swing bridge.

4. The replacement of the existing swing bridge by a new, opening bridge – by Kent County Council as a collaborative project in partnership with the Borough Council and the Town Council.

5. The repair or replacement of the sluice gates by Medway Ports and their subsequent management and dredging by the Faversham Creek Trust under licence by the authority.

The Lifting Bridge opening at High Tide for an awaiting barge, with another waiting to come out.

These objectives are in line with feedback received from the May 2012 Creek Neighbourhood Plan exhibition and the June 2013 exhibition, and also with feedback from the Urban Initiatives consultation in 2009. They conform to Neighbourhood Plan objectives 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 13, 15.

The benefits

The benefits arising from the regeneration are:

1. Economic: the generation of new business turnover in marine workshops, training school and mooring fees, with a total annual value of £425,000 excluding indirect benefits.
2. Job creation: the plan will create at least 50 new jobs including students and apprentices, but excluding tourism spin-off related employment in the town.
3. Social: the regeneration of the Creek basin would remove an eyesore from the centre of the town. It replaces a derelict and unsafe area adjoining a public footpath by a safe waterfront and public space with a view over barges and the town skyline. The repaired or replaced sluice gates would permit water retention in the basin and therefore a safe water area for community activities, sea scouts and sail training not normally available in a tidal creek.
4. Heritage: the plan as a whole provides a significant location in the Purifier Building and Ordnance Wharf workshops for a living maritime heritage centre where schoolchildren and visitors to the town can see shipwrights at work and engage with Faversham’s history.
5. Visitor numbers: the annual number of visitors to Faversham (15,000 in 2011) would rise by at least 25% as a consequence of a revitalised basin. The experience of Maldon with its smaller resident population but a fleet of ten Thames Barges and 30,000 visitors supports this contention.

Implementation

We envisage that construction could begin in 2015, preceded by a planning application in 2014. The continued commitment of the KCC to a working bridge to the basin and confirmation of the existing zoning are key conditions to the success of the plan.

Board of Trustees, Faversham Creek Trust – 25 November 2013

Advertisement

WELL DONE FAVERSHAM – YOU’VE DONE IT!!!

We’ve done it! We’ve raised £125,000! Join us for a photo call on the Bridge tomorrow (Sunday 27 September) at 2 pm
The final payment has been made into the KCC Swing Bridge Fund, bringing the total to £125,000.

We’ll be lining the Bridge tomorrow (27 September) at 2 pm, when photographers from our local newspapers will take pictures of everyone waving and thanking Faversham for our tremendous success.

What a fantastic fundraising summer we’ve had, with 53 events, and support and donations from dozens of local businesses and thousands of people. Most are from Faversham but others hail from much further afield – as far away as Australia, Brazil and California!

Now it’s time to say thank you to everyone who has contributed to Swing the Bridge. We’ll be putting up posters like the one above all over town. If you would like one to put in your window, it will be available to download soon from our website – Swing the Bridge Literature – or email us on favershamcreektrust@yahoo.co.uk to request one.

We will close our fund on 30 September, as planned. Any funds raised over the target will be held separately, and will be used for Bridge related projects in the Basin. As you know, opening the Bridge is the first stage towards regenerating the Basin, bringing back maritime activity and creating a waterfront for all to enjoy. Watch this space for future developments!

As always, please do keep spreading the word and keep those donations – big or small! – coming in, in this, the final few days of our fund-raising campaign. While we’ve reached the first target, it’s certainly not the last!

Thank you for your continued support for ‘Swing the Bridge.’

The Swing the Bridge campaign team

A FEAST of FORTHCOMING EVENTS!

It may be past the summer solstice, but there are still plenty of events coming up in aid of Swing the Bridge! From live music to wine-tasting, brain-challenging quizzes and family fun events – we’ve something we know you’ll enjoy, as we keep our fund-raising barometer in town climbing.

60s 70s 80s Disco Evening: Sat 29th August   Brents Tavern 8pm

Stephen Hussey (lead violinist from Urban Soul Orchestra) plus Special Guest Artist Nico Ramsden.    Bank Holiday Mon, 31 August, Ship Inn, Ospringe, from 3pm –  Entry by donation.

Battle of the Brains: Quiz at the Brents Tavern, Fri 4 September, 7.30 start, tables of 8, seats £5 each: ring Toni on 07880322157 to reserve your place

The Creek Trust at the Hop Festival: 5/6 September – the Creek Trust stall in Abbey Street and a Tea Room at the Purifier Building where there will also be an Art Show by local artist Derek Cox of a series of original ink paintings of Faversham registered boats.

If you would like to help with either, contact Debbie on 01795 227706)

Curry Supper Spice Lounge, Tues 8 September, 7:30 for 8 pm; £20 / head for a special authentic North Indian meal. Buy tickets at the restaurant or call Marion, 07918 123123

Wine Tasting, with Ploughman’s: Sat 12 September, £20 a head – place and time tbc!

1940s Swing Band: 18 September 7.30pm, Old Brewery Store; tickets £20 including supper. Tickets at Sweet Scene, and details and booking online here.

Concert at the Assembly Room: Sat 26 September

Family Fun Day: Sun 27 September, 11 am – 5 pm, at Brogdale. All manner of fun for kids and grandchildren

Finally, just to let you know – the money coming in is really pushing us towards our target – but we can’t stop now! We have banked over £75,000 and sent most of that to KCC, and we have promises from various Trusts and charities which bring us up to over £100,000 – so we are doing brilliantly; but these last few weeks will be absolutely crucial – so keep up the good work.

Thank you for your continued support for ‘Swing the Bridge!’

The Swing the Bridge campaign team

Swing the Bridge fund total now £75,000

The Swing the Bridge fund thermometer in Faversham Town Square, has been upgraded to show total receipts of £75,000.

Many thanks are due to all those who have contributed or helped to raise funds. This is an astounding result for just four months actual fundraising, and confirms that we are on course to achieving the full amount required to secure a Swing Bridge, rather than a fixed one, provided we keep up the pace, till the end of September, just eight weeks away.

So, if you are thinking about it, now is the time to put hand in pocket or pen to cheque and make your contribution, no matter how small, as every little bit helps. The easiest way is to use the on-line GIVEY fund at the head of this page. Don’t forget that Gift Aid is worth 25% on top, so sign a Gift Aid form.

Family Bike Ride Fundraising for the Bridge Sat 11th

SPONSORSHIP FORM HERE;   STB Bike Ride Sponsorship Form

 

MEET YOUR NEW SWING BRIDGE

This is the first drawing of the new SWING BRIDGE, that has been issued by KCC as part of a public consultation by the Marine Management Organisation. The details of this consultation can be seen at the Faversham Library.

By kind permission of KCC

Swing the Bridge collection through GIVEY.com

We’ve been asked why our Swing-the-Bridge page on Givey.com is showing only £10,000 as our target – when in fact the total target £125k! That’s because we thought that people would like to give online (including Gift Aid if possible) and the £10k challenge was achievable for people giving small amounts, or little and often.

Of course, we are also fundraising with Events, approaching Trusts and Organisations, and other Major Donors, to reach the big total. Progress so far is excellent, with widespread support, £40,000 in cash received and a further £30,000 in pledges. That leaves just £55,000 to go!

So Please help us today! Don’t leave it for later…. go to http://www.givey.com/swingthebridge  – and thank you! Every single pound and penny counts!

Our Regeneration Plan for Faversham Creek Basin

Summary 

Since 2011 the Faversham Creek Trust has been working towards a regeneration plan that focuses on the upper part of Faversham Creek, the Basin above the Brents Swing Bridge. This plan is an updated version of the plan first submitted to the Stakeholder Workshop of the Creek Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group in November 2012, and then to Faversham Town Council in November 2013.

We believe there is a unique opportunity for restoration and development in the centre of this historic town with significant economic and social benefits for residents and visitors alike. Our plan is based on the creation of a viable maritime economic facility, with workshops, moorings and a training school to serve the existing fleet of traditional vessels in the Thames Estuary.

This plan, which now has backing from Swale Borough Council and Faversham Town Council,  will integrate the effort of several stakeholders including a charitable trust, a community association, identified private investors, and regional authorities.

The Key Elements

The replacement of the existing swing bridge by a new swing bridge – by Kent County Council as a collaborative project in partnership with the Borough Council, the Town Council and this Trust. This is the key to the Basin, and the Trust actively supports the public subscription funding opportunity that has been initiated by KCC to ensure that the bridge opens rather then remain a fixed bridge.  

The regeneration of Ordnance Wharf as a maritime workshop, small boat yard and community centre, with access from Flood Lane, in conformity with the current local plan, the existing conservation area, and the plan now under preparation by the Brents Community Association. A potential purchaser has been confirmed subject to Ordnance Wharf not being re- zoned for housing. Implementation mid-2015.

The Restored Purifier Building to be a training centre for students and apprentices to be run in conjunction with the Ordnance Wharf workshop. The five year plan envisages 18 students with an eventual capacity for 36 students per year. Implementation late 2015. There are also two specialist workshop units and a room for community activities.

The restoration of the BMM Weston Creek frontage outside the existing car park with the co- operation of the owner. The resulting wharf will provide moorings for up to ten sailing barges and smacks and a green amenity space along the current footpath. A Community Interest company will manage the operation, when KCC has replaced the current swing bridge.

The repair or replacement of the sluice gates by Peel Ports and their subsequent management, in conjunction with the operation of the new swing bridge.

Dredging of the Basin and the Creek by the Faversham Creek Navigation Company, a new Community Interest Company. A Maintenance Dredging licence has already been issued by Peel Ports, for the creek downstream from the bridge.

For the Basin, a Capital Dredging licence has been applied for,  to the Marine Management Organisation. This involves negotiation with the Environment Agency, Natural England, Peel Ports and other agencies who look after the waterbodies and the environment in the UK.

All these objectives are in line with feedback received from all the Neighbourhood Plan exhibitions and they also conform to the relevant Neighbourhood Plan Objectives.

The Benefits

The benefits arising from this regeneration are comprehensive:

Economic: the generation of new business turnover in marine workshops, training school and mooring fees, with a total annual value of around £500,000 excluding indirect benefits.

Job creation: the plan will create at least 50 new jobs including students and apprentices, but excluding tourism spin-off related employment in the town.

Social: the regeneration of the Creek basin would remove an eyesore from the centre of the town. It replaces a derelict and unsafe area adjoining a public footpath, by a safe waterfront and public space with a view over barges and the town skyline. The Gates would permit water retention in the basin and therefore a safe water area for community activities, sea scouts and sail training not normally available in a tidal creek. 

Heritage: the plan as a whole provides a significant location in the Purifier Building and Ordnance Wharf workshops for a living maritime heritage centre where schoolchildren and visitors to the town can see shipwrights at work and engage with Faversham’s history.

Visitor numbers: the annual number of visitors to Faversham (15,000 in 2011) would rise by at least 25% as a consequence of a revitalised basin. The experience of Maldon with its smaller resident population but a fleet of ten Thames Barges and 30,000 visitors supports this contention.

Implementation

The future of the Basin is entirely dependant upon the continued commitment of KCC, SBC and the Town Council, to an Opening Bridge and Gates. That policy and financial commitment, along with public subscription to the Bridge Fund, is currently the main focus of the Faversham Creek Trust, to ensure that the plans for the Basin are realised, for the benefit of all.

 

The Faversham Creek Trust Swing Bridge Fund

Faversham Creek Trust is collecting donations towards the new Swing Bridge. 

The benefit of donating via the Trust is that donations can attract Gift Aid if donors agree. Members of the Trust generally have agreed for Gift Aid to be collected from HMRC, but new donors need to sign a BRIDGE GIFT AID FORM

THIS ADDS 25% TO THE VALUE OF DONATIONS

These donations will be forwarded to the KCC Bridge Fund, along with the Gift Aid when it is claimed from HMRC.  The Terms and Conditions are exactly the same as those published by KCC;  An important condition is that in the event that the target is not reached, all donations will be returned to donors.

For that reason, it is important that if you are not a member of this Trust for whom we have contact details, then you must give your Name, Address, Email address, Telephone Number. None of this information will be passed on by FCT or KCC to any third party.

Donations can be made by direct transfer to the Trust’s Bank account;

Bank: HSBC   Sort-code: 40-21-35   Account number: 30076414

If possible, please add the transaction reference BRIDGE

if you are a Trust Member, please add your FCT Membership Number before ie 123BRIDGE.   This will allow us to refer to your Gift Aid agreement.

If you are paying by cheque, please make it payable to Faversham Creek Trust and send to;

The Treasurer
Faversham Creek Trust
Purifier Building
Morrison’s Wharf
North Lane
Faversham
KENT
ME13 7DY

 

The Faversham Creek Swing Bridge Fund

A new fund has been launched by Kent County Council to support plans to replace Faversham Creek Bridge.

KCC has already set aside £400,000 for work to start replacing the fixed bridge in 2016/17. However, the bridge was originally designed as a swing bridge that opened to allow access for boats. KCC would like to raise the extra £500,000 to help meet the aspiration of bringing it back to its former glory rather than remaining a fixed bridge.

Mark Dance, KCC Cabinet Member for Economic Development says; We already have the money set aside to replace the bridge. The bridge hasn’t been able to be opened for at least 25 years and we think we should be more ambitious and return it to a fully-fledged swing bridge. This means not only will it allow access to larger boats; it will lead to further benefits for the Inner Basin of the Creek.

If the additional money is not raised, work will continue to replace it, except it will remain a static bridge. So we hope that local people and businesses will support the Fund via the website

http://www.kent.gov.uk/favershamcreek

and help us to raise the additional £500,000 required.

Our Chairman, Chris Wright, says ‘ the Trust has been pleased to be part of the steering group for the last year or two, which has worked hard to realise the aspirations of the town in having an opening bridge, so that barges and other craft can once more enter the basin and revitalise the whole area, providing a marine hub for traditional sailing vessels and shipwright training in the Purifier Building. The Trust welcomes the launch of the bridge fund and looks forward to helping raise the necessary amount of money needed’

Brenda Chester, who co-ordinates the bridge steering group added ‘ I look forward also to seeing the Basin opened and local people and groups such as the Sea Cadets being able to use it for recreational purposes; also the increased tourism potential for our historic Cinque Port town is exciting. An opening bridge and dredged Creek and Basin will enable the annual Nautical Festival and other events to expand and be even more successful which will be good for residents and businesses.’

A Faversham Town Council spokesperson said ‘ A swing bridge would be an important contribution to the regeneration of the Creek. The Fund, which would raise money in addition to that guaranteed by KCC would enable all interested parties in the private and public sector to demonstrate their commitment to such a worthwhile cause,

Councillor Mike Cosgrove, Swale Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said ‘this is great news, after chairing the Faversham Creek Consortium for 8 years, our dream of getting the funding to deliver this iconic project is almost there. Swale, I am sure, will also make a contribution and stand shoulder to shoulder with KCC and the Town Council’.

So there we are, and now it is up to all of us, individually and corporately, private and public sector, to put our hands in our pockets and offer a contribution, however small, towards something that would not just be the visible restoration of a major historic part of the Town, but also play a part in the future prosperity of the town. 

TO DONATE     GOT TO

http://www.kent.gov.uk/favershamcreek