Cabinet
Member Councillor Derek Mills said: "This is fantastic
news not only for Brixham but the whole of Torbay. A new fish
market is a pivotal part of the Brixham regeneration sheme which
will also provide new shopping facilities, commercial space
for businesses in the town and it is estimated will create around
360 new jobs in the long term."
Councillor Gordon Jennings Chair of the Harbour Committee,
said: "We're delighted at the high level of developer interest
in the project which demonstrates their confidence in the future
of Brixham harbour and bodes well for this exciting development.
"Our ambitious plans for Brixham harbour are aimed at
rejuvenating the town's economy and providing fishing and non-fishing
related jobs for Brixham people but we do appreciate that the
regeneration will mean some upheaval. However, I am confident
that the short-term inconvenience will lead to long-term gains
for the town and the port and I would ask residents to bear
with us during the works."
Richard Morgan, Chief Executive Torbay Development Agency,
said: "This work is part of the comittment from, Torbay
Development Agency, Torbay Council and Brixham 21 to revitalise
the area. We have all thrown our weight behind this major regeneration
scheme, which will see investment and regeneration in almost
every aspect of its economy over the next 10 years.
"The regeneration project is aimed at giving Brixham a
future - jobs and industry which will enable people here to
stay and work and live. Investing in the fishing industry is
a key part of that.
The South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA)
has funded a series of detailed studies to help progress the
fishmarket and the wider Brixham regeneration schemes and is
continuing to work with partners to support the plans.
Sue Brownlow, head of operations in Devon for the RDA, said:
"The announcement on the tendering process is another milestone
towards delivering this vitally important project, which we
are pleased to be supporting and which will bring significant
benefits to the local economy in Torbay."
Following completion of the tender documents there will be
a six week evaluation period before the contract is awarded.
The main work is due to start sometime towards the end of 2007
and will take approximately 32 months to complete.
Four different funding streams and
planning approval have been agreed in principle for the project
and an immense amount of work is now going into the final funding
appraisals and the legal work necessary to get the project going.
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