by Neill Barston

A massive regeneration project to transform Sheerness Port with hundreds of millions of pounds in investment for a new marina, housing and hundreds of jobs, has been announced.

The details are:

• A new centrepiece marina for up to 500 large yachts will be created at the heart of the project
• A 15-year scheme from port owners The Peel Group will rejuvenate and expand docks with three new deep water berths
• Hundreds of jobs to be created with housing scheme on the site which includes a port extension in the Thames Estuary
• The population of Sheerness will increase by around a half with the arrival of new homes and businesses designed to compliment existing high street traders
• Significant improvements expected to road infrastructure to the port to accommodate new housing and commercial operations

Dock owners, The Peel Group, has committed to the 15 year-scheme which it says will offer a huge economic boost with a radical re-design of the layout of the port and extension of commercial shipping facilities.

There will be a new promenade for tourists within the development area, which will be enhanced with a Thames Estuary reclamation scheme of 120 hectares for housing.

The private marina will have up to 500 yacht berths and emerges as a similar scheme is under way at Queenborough, where £400m is being spent on a 180-berth marina, housing, new link road at Rushenden.

Project manager Dale Thomson, of consultant architectural firm Royal Haskoning, which has been commissioned by Peel to produce a masterplan, said there would be plenty of opportunity for the public to contribute their input.

He said: “This is major news for Sheerness and Sheppey – it will safeguard jobs already in the port and create many more. It’s a large mixed use development and will include port expansion with the creation of three new deep water berths.

“The scheme will run into hundreds of millions in investment. We will be going to public consultation either in February or March next year with exhibitions and workshops.”

The first housing planning applications are expected in 2012, with significant plans to improve road and rail infrastructure within the area. It is expected that the scheme will create a greater linkages between Blue Town and Sheerness town centre, improving its presently isolated position.

A spokesman for Swale council said: “We welcome the proposals for Sheerness port as they could bring new business and employment opportunities to the Island. There is a long way to go for the proposals to be realised and we look forward to continuing to work with the port on shaping the plans for the future.”

• Picture by Countrywide Photographic