Maryport Area Coastal Community Team: Economic Plan
January 2016
Maryport Area Coastal Community Team: Economic Plan
January 2016
CONTENTS
NB: Section numbers relate to the Government Guidance of Preparing Economic Plans for Coastal Community Teams; they are retained for ease of understanding by officers at DCLG.
Introduction
1. Name of Coastal Community Teampage: 4
2. Single Point of Contactpage: 4
3. Coastal Community Team Memberspage: 4
4. Accountable Bodypage: 5
5. Local Areapage: 5
6. Context – The Communitypage: 6
7. Context – The Economypage: 7
8. Related Initiativespage: 9
9. Ambitionpage: 12
10. Community Needs and How We Will Meet Thempage: 13
11. Analysispage: 15
12. Datapage: 16
13. Key projectspage: 16
19. Barrierspage: 25
23. Fundingpage: 26
24. Maximising Resources and Costspage: 26
25. Consultationpage: 26
26. Communication With Partners and Stakeholderspage: 27
27. Communication With the Communitypage: 27
28. Management of Teampage: 28
29. Support Structurepage: 28
31. Sustainabilitypage: 28
32. Areas of Specific Interestpage: 28
Appendixpage: 29
Prepared by:
Bowles Green Limited Consultants:
Vale House Judith Bowles
Oswaldkirk, York Steve Green
YO62 5YH
Bowles Green Limited Vale House, Oswaldkirk, North Yorkshire, YO62 5YH 1
Tel: 01439 788980 E-mail:
Maryport Area Coastal Community Team: Economic Plan
January 2016
Tel: 01439 788980 / 01420 51487
Mobile: 07919 373294
Email:
Bowles Green Limited Vale House, Oswaldkirk, North Yorkshire, YO62 5YH 1
Tel: 01439 788980 E-mail:
Maryport Area Coastal Community Team: Economic Plan
January 2016
Acknowledgements
The consultants would like to thank members of the project steering group, members of Love Maryport Town Team and wider stakeholders who have contributed to the preparation of this strategy by giving their time and their ideas.
Document History
Ref / Name / Circulation/Purpose / Written By / DateV1 / Draft Report / CCT for comment / SG & JB / 19 Jan 2016
V2 / Final Report Version 1 / Published / SG & JB / 26th Jan 2016
INTRODUCTION
This Draft Economic Plan has been prepared by consultants for the Maryport Area Coastal Community Team, which has been set up to guide economic development at the coast in the area shown on the map below. The economic plan is being written to a template provided by the government and consists of a description of the local area and its economic challenges, a development strategy, a rationale and a list of projects to deliver the strategy. In accordance with the guidance, it does not repeat economic, social and environmental information that is already set out in existing studies, strategies and plans. Instead, this Economic Plan summarises the position and refers to other plans where appropriate. The projects in this Plan will become priorities for bidding into the Coastal Revival Fund and for other sources of funding.
This plan is a ‘live’ document. In its current form (the first edition), it is a starting point. It will evolve and become more precise and detailed as work on projects progresses and as economic and other conditions change. It will be updated on a regular basis.
1. NAME OF COASTAL COMMUNITY TEAM
The Coastal Community Team for this area is called Love Maryport Town Team.
2. SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT
At present, activity in Maryport Area CCT is being co-ordinated by the Chair of the Love Maryport Town Team. Her contact details are:
Debbie Wright
Her Citti
Crosby Street
Maryport
Cumbria
CA15 6JX
Tel: 01900 810400
E-mail:
3. COASTAL COMMUNITY TEAM MEMBERS
Coastal Community Team
The following organisations have taken part in work to prepare this economic plan and are members of the Coastal Community Team for Maryport Area:
Allonby Parish Council -
Ewanrigg Local Trust
Lake District Coast Aquarium -
Love Maryport Town Team – (Lead organisation)
Maryport Blues Festival Group -
Maryport Harbour Authority -
Maryport Inshore Rescue -
Maryport Maritime Museum -
Maryport Town Council –
North of England Civic Trust –
Senhouse Roman Museum -
Solway Coast AONB -
Wave Centre -
West Coast Indoor Karting -
Stakeholders/Other Partners
A wider group of stakeholders has also engaged with the process and will provide support, assist communication or otherwise support the CCT.
Allerdale Borough Council –
Cumbria County Council –
Cumbria Tourism -
Netherhall School –
Northern Rail –
4. ACCOUNTABLE BODY
The accountable body for this Economic Plan is:
Allerdale Borough Council
Allerdale House
Workington
Cumbria
CA14 3YJ
Contact: Toni Magean, Town Centre Area Manager
Tel: 01900 702766
E-mail:
5. LOCAL AREA
The Maryport CCT area extends along the English Solway coast from Dubmill Point in the north to include Flimby in the south. The main focus for economic activity is the town of Maryport. Maryport sits at the mouth of the River Ellen, at the south-western extremity of the Solway Plain and at the northern end of the former Cumberland Coalfield. The town occupies high ground on top of cliffs and lower lying coastal land around the harbour. To the north of the town the site of the Roman fort and town of Alauna is within the Hadrian’s Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With the exception of Maryport and Swarthy Hill, the area is low lying. To the north and south of Maryport there are sand dunes and sandy beaches, especially at Allonby, which is popular with holiday-makers and day visitors. The northern part of the CCT (i.e. the area to the north of Maryport) is within the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and there are fine views across the Solway Firth to Dumfries and Galloway and inland to the Lake District.
Behind the coastal dunes, the land use is agricultural with several former mining communities. To the north, inland from Allonby wet grassland provides grazing and further inland, the ground rises to the ridge that forms the inland boundary of the Solway Plain.
The Maryport CCT area is generally remote from the national transport network. The Cumbrian Coast railway line links Maryport and Flimby to the East Coast mainline at Carlisle, and to Workington, Whitehaven, Sellafield and eventually Barrow-in-Furness to the south. The B5300 coast road links Flimby, Maryport and Allonby with Silloth in the north and Workington in the south. Other key roads are the A596, which links Maryport to Carlisle and the M6, and the A594, which links to the A66 at Cockermouth and on to the M6 at Penrith. The Hadrian Cycle Route passes through the CCT from south to north, as does the new Coastal Path.
Figure 1: Maryport Coastal Community Team Area
The area’s sense of place is formed partly by this geographic heritage and in part by its cultural heritage; the latter is summarised as follows:
- The Roman fort and town of Alauna were built in 122 AD as a supply base for the western part of Hadrian’s Wall
- The town reduced in size and importance after the departure of the Romans
- There was a motte and bailey castle in the 12th century and the area was part of the Netherhall Estate in the 14th Century when a peel tower was built to defend against Scots raids
- Humphrey Senhouse began to develop the harbour and the town in the 18th century and renamed Ellenfoot as Maryport in 1749 after his wife, Mary
- Maryport developed rapidly during the 19th century with an iron foundry, shipyards and larger port to service coalmining around Dearham, Broughton and Aspatria
- A new deep-water dock at Workington took trade from Maryport and the town’s industry had all but collapsed by the 1980s
- In the last 20 years Maryport has enjoyed considerable public sector investment in leisure infrastructure, but it has struggled to attract large numbers of visitors
6. CONTEXT – THE COMMUNITY
The population of Maryport Area CCT is approximately 17,000. The main settlements are Maryport (12,000), Flimby (1,700), Crosscanonby (1,000) andAllonby (400). The population of Allonby increases by approximately 2,000 in the summer and to a lesser extent Easter, the half term holidays and off season weekends as occupancy of its caravan sites increases. The resident population can be summarised as follows:
- The population is older than the UK average and ageing at a faster rate than the UK population
- There is a higher proportion of younger people in Maryport and Flimby than in the rural north
- Maryport and Flimby have high rates of unemployment with associated levels of deprivation and higher levels of crime, especially in the east and south of Maryport (Ewanrigg and Grasslot)
- The gap between the deprived urban areas and the less deprived rural areas is widening
- Maryport and Flimby have poorer health than the national average with lower levels of physical exercise and higher rates of hospital stays due to alcohol and smoking
- Average income is low and this has led to generally low levels of expectation in terms of quality of products and services
The ‘tourist population’ consists of regular visitors, who own their caravans and spend a good deal of their leisure time there, those who come regularly or occasionally for an annual holiday and day visitors. Most staying and day visitors come from other parts of Cumbria and surrounding counties.
Local community priorities for Maryport are: tackling crime, clean streets, better job prospects, facilities for young children, activities for teenagers, road improvements better town centre/shopping facilities and better car parking.
Maryport is the main service centre for the CCT. In addition to a shopping centre, there are banks, professional services, leisure and higher education facilities.
7. CONTEXT – THE ECONOMY
The local economy has struggled since the decline of the commercial port c100 years ago. At present, there are an estimated 350 businesses in Maryport and economic activity now consists of:
- Retail and service businesses for the local population (mostly located on Senhouse Street, Curzon Street and surrounding streets)
- Light industry (chiefly located in the Glasson and Solway Industrial Estates, located on either side of the A596 in the southern part of Maryport and on the Risehow Industrial Estate in Flimby)
- Boston USA-based leisure footwear and clothing company New Balance has a factory and factory outlet at Flimby
- A small fishing fleet operates from Elizabeth Dock and a seafood cooperative sells fresh fish and shellfish
- MP Marine is a family-owned ship builder and repairer, and marine engineers
- Leisure and tourism activity in Maryport is concentrated around the harbour area (marina, aquarium, museum, The Wave), though pubs and serviced accommodation are spread throughout the town and Senhouse Roman Museum sits atop the cliff in the upper town
- Most tourist accommodation is un-serviced (caravans) chiefly in 6 caravan parks in and close to Allonby
Most local businesses are privately-owned, small and medium-sized enterprises. They are geared to local demand in terms of scale and quality and there is much economic leakage, for retail and other goods and services, to Workington and Carlisle. As a result, profit margins are generally low as is investment. Many commercial buildings are owned by absentee landlords. These two factors mean the condition of many commercial buildings, especially on Senhouse Street, is poor, giving the town a run-down feel. The busy A596, the main road from Workington to Carlisle, runs through the middle of Maryport and this brings large commercial vehicles through the heart of the town.
There is a dis-connect between the upper and lower towns, with locals using the shops in the upper town and visitors concentrated around the harbour and associated attractions. The Wave was built with ERDF funds as anexhibition hall. It is located in the lower part of town between the River Ellen and the harbour. It struggled to attract the high levels of community use, as such has repositioned its business plan to provide a wider leisure/activity offer (clip and climb and a caving experience).
New housing that has been developed around the harbour is popular and houses here sell relatively quickly. The harbour authority owns land around and between Senhouse and Elizabeth docks and is actively pursuing development options. There is currently an oversupply of commercial property, in particular office space. Overall, the prices of residential and commercial property are low in comparison with other parts of Cumbria and the UK.
The local catch is mostly shellfish. Seafood landed at Maryport is mostly sent directly to European markets, but a fishing cooperative sells a variety of seafood, some of it traded from incoming vessels from elsewhere, at the quayside.
Tourism
Maryport has struggled to become established as a destination for visitors. Its reputation amongst residents and tourism businesses in the Lake District is poor and this is often passed on to visiting tourists. Visitor attractions struggle to generate sufficient numbers of visitors to be financially viable (Senhouse Museum 10,000, Maryport Maritime Museum 1,800), with people staying in caravan sites to the north forming the core market, and visitors are largely absent outside of the holiday season. Though the recently developed ‘clip and climb’ and indoor caving experience at The Wave appears to be bucking this trend. The annual Blues Festival attracts in the region of 20,000 visits to the town over a weekend and there is event organising expertise and capacity in the town.
Accommodation for visitors is limited to 3 hotels and a small number of B&Bs in Maryport plus 6 caravan parks in and near Allonby. There is also scattered self-catering rental accommodation in the rural hinterland. Serviced accommodation is chiefly aimed at contractors and quality is below average.
The marina has 190 berths, facilities for boat owners and is currently developing a clubhouse. Mooring rates are low in comparison to marinas further south along the Irish Sea. Boat owners whomoor vessels in Maryport Marina are relatively self-contained and do not generally engage with the town. There are occasional visits by individual boats and sailing clubs from Galloway, the Isle of Man and marinas to the south.
Places to eat and drink are also geared to the local market and, with some exceptions, do not meet the expectations of tourist visitors. However there is anecdotal evidence from businesses in the town that visitors who do come to Maryport are impressed by the architecture and harbour. The upper town has some fine 18th and 19th century buildings, especially around Fleming Square and the harbour has retained much of its character.
The Roman collection at Senhouse Museum, which is owned and operated by a trust, is of international significance. Ownership of the Alauna site, including buildings at Camp Farm,has recently passed from Hadrian’s Wall Heritage to the North of England Civic Trust (NECT). NECT hasrecently secured a £50k grant through the coastal revival funding scheme towards establishing a volunteer base in the buildings at Camp Farm and both trusts are preparing development projects.
Most staying visitors are based in the Allonby caravan parks; day visitors also make for the beach at Allonby Bay. There is access to the water for boats, though a watercourse that runs across the beach below the access point restricts this. Allonby is a good location for kite surfing, but recent attempts to hold national competitive events were thwarted by poor weather conditions. There are public toilets and a playground, but both are in a deteriorating condition. There are several beach car parks on ‘the green’. A new off-road cycle track connects Allonby to Maryport (via Milefortlet 21 and the saltpans at Swarthy Hill, Crosscanonby Nature Reserve, Maryport Golf Course, which has a catering offer, and Maryport Promenade) and it is proving popular with local residents and visitors.
8. RELATED INITIATIVES
A number of existing initiatives are already underway and these are summarised here.
Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership
Cumbria LEP has four priorities, as follows:
- Advanced manufacturing growth
- Nuclear and energy excellence
- Vibrant rural and visitor economy
- Strategic connectivity of the M6 corridor
It will achieve this by:
- Providing support for businesses
- Developing skills through training
- Improving infrastructure (superfast broadband and new homes)
- Environmental sustainability
The Cumbria Business Growth Hub is one of several delivery components; it coordinates support services for businesses across the County.
Solway, Border and Eden LEADER
The Solway, Border and Eden Local Action Group has published a Local Development Strategy for LEADER funding from 2014 to 2020. It aims to support significant and sustainable economic growth in a way that respects the local distinctiveness of the area, fully engages local people and builds stronger, more resilient rural communities. It does this through 3 objectives, with related programmes and priorities, as follows:
- Objective 1: To encourage significant and sustainable economic growth and increased employment, with the full engagement of local people
- Objective 2: To address rural issues within the Solway, Border and Eden area and build stronger, more resilient communities
- Objective 3: To promote tourism that enhances, conserves and celebrates the distinctive nature of the environment, landscape, heritage and culture of the Solway, Border and Eden area
Britain’s Energy Coast
BEC is jointly owned by Allerdale and Copeland Borough Councils, Cumbria County Council and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. Its 2012 Economic Blueprint aims to create 3,000 new jobs by building on West Cumbria’s strengths, i.e.:
- World class research facilities
- Natural resources
- Manufacturing capability
- International reputation in the energy sector
Allerdale Council Policy