Last updated at 10:07, Wednesday, 22 August 2012

BRITAIN’S Energy Coast has awarded more than £5.3 million to projects ranging from a new office complex to support the area’s growing energy sector to the revamp of a theatre and creation of marina berths.

You can read the full story by clicking here or find out more about the project below

Pillar House

Britain’s Energy Coast has agreed a funding package of £2.2m towards a two-storey 2,000 sqm speculative office building called Pillar House on Westlakes Science & Technology Park near Whitehaven. BEC subsidiary company Energy Coast West Cumbria (Properties) Ltd (formerly Westlakes Properties Ltd) is allocating £750,000 of its own funds to create extra capacity at one of Cumbria’s prime business locations. BEC believes that demand will be driven by the local energy industry – in particular decommissioning contract opportunities from Sellafield and thanks to new arrivals such as The University of Manchester’s Dalton Nuclear Institute, whose state-of-the-art Dalton Cumbrian Facility offers academia and industry in the UK and overseas the chance to carry out world- leading research and development.

Blencathra Business Centre, Threlkeld, near Keswick

Britain’s Energy Coast subsidiary Energy Coast West Cumbria (Properties) Ltd is to invest £400,000 of its own funds in doubling the capacity of Blencathra Business Centre, Threlkeld, near Keswick. The money – which will match a £400,000 contribution from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) – will be used to construct eight new industrial units providing 857sqm of accommodation for a wide spectrum of small businesses. Planning consent for the development has already been granted and DEFRA has pledged a further £20,000 per year of support towards enhancing the site, including its prioritisation for rural Superfast Broadband. At present the 24 units are occupied by 18 businesses employing 82 people and with a combined turnover of more than £6m.

Whitehaven Marina Enhancement

Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners has been awarded £365,000 of funding from BEC via Nuclear Management Partners towards £1.1m worth of improvements to the harbour’s existing facilities to better target the tourism market. This includes 140 new berths for tourism use and a maintenance berth for visitors, a new cruise ship taxi terminal and the conversion of part of an existing building to provide office accommodation for the management of the marina. Other funding to pay for the improvements is set to come from Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners and other sources.

Maryport Harbour

Maryport Harbour Authority has been awarded £1.2m to undertake much-needed repairs to Senhouse Dock walls and construct a new boathouse for Maryport Inshore Rescue. Funding will also go towards helping to diversify the income and secure the viability of the harbour through initiatives such as the installation of solar energy panels on harbour buildings and the exploration of other forms of renewable energy generation and research and development; the extension to the marina’s car park and a new café and play area. The investment has been made with the aim of boosting confidence in the harbour to significantly increase boat numbers and secure its long-term financial sustainability.

Rosehill Theatre

Rosehill Arts Trust has been awarded £1.1m of funding from BEC via Nuclear Management Partners towards the £4.5m revamp of the professional theatre on the outskirts of Whitehaven. Work includes a new contemporary three-story extension to provide new front of house facilities, exhibition space and restaurant; the renovation of existing space for creative, youth and community use and a new outdoor performance area. The theatre aims to boost its national prominence and provide greater links with the community, in the process increasing audience numbers and creating new job, apprentice and volunteering opportunities. Other funding proposals totalling £3.4m are now being perused by the Trust.

First published at 14:38, Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Published by http://www.in-cumbria.com