Press release

Supporting huge development plans for Whitehaven

Two projects are set to transform Whitehaven harbour. Funded through Sellafield Ltd鈥檚 social impact, multiplied programme, the projects will open up the West Cumbrian coastline.

Artist impression of the Edge development in Whitehaven Harbour

皇冠体育app Edge is expected to open its doors in early 2022.

Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners are behind the first project, a multi-million pound programme to make Whitehaven the tourism capital of the Cumbrian coastline.

皇冠体育app 拢3.6 million coastal activities centre called 皇冠体育app Edge is being funded by Sellafield Ltd and the Coastal Communities Fund.

Work on the project began earlier this month and is expected to open its doors in early 2022.

It will feature accommodation, storage facilities, and flexible activity spaces and will become a spectacular starting point for the world-famous C2C cycle route.

Celia MacKenzie, chief executive of the Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, said:

We鈥檙e incredibly excited about the potential of the harbour regeneration programme.

This is the latest of many investments we鈥檝e made over the years which are all designed to maximise Whitehaven鈥檚 potential as a tourism capital.

皇冠体育app idea is to open up the coastline to residents and tourists and provide a new start point for the world famous C2C cycle challenge.

Cumbria currently lacks a dedicated facility to support those undertaking water sports and recreational activities on its coastline, making it one of the country鈥檚 most under-utilised regions for coastline activities.

皇冠体育app Edge will fill the gap by providing direct access to the sea via a new slipway, and I鈥檇 like to thank everyone who uses and values the harbour for their patience and understanding as we begin the necessary construction works.

This will be a fantastic asset for the harbour and the community. Whether you鈥檙e a cyclist looking for somewhere to start your challenge, an explorer looking to access the England Coast Path, a school group looking for a coastal or overnight adventure, or a community group looking for space to hold activities or workshops,

皇冠体育app Edge will be for you.

Elsewhere in the marina, Sellafield Ltd is investing in a cutting-edge filtration system that will be installed into the harbour, putting the town on a par with Dubai and Sydney.

Developed and delivered by the Whitehaven Harbour Youth Project, our 拢100,000 investment will fund a filtration system that will feature a network of floating 鈥榮eabins鈥� as well an environmental education programme.

Whitehaven already has one Seabin in operation, sponsored by the Whitehaven Marina.

皇冠体育app youth project will be working with the marina to add 6 more Seabins to filter and remove plastics, microplastics and oil from the water, creating a cleaner and safer environment for water sports and marine wildlife.

By 2023, Whitehaven Marina will be the first in the world to boast 7 Seabins, putting the town ahead of Dubai, which has 6, and Sydney, which has 2. Only 4 other places in the UK have them.

皇冠体育app environmental education programme will involve local schools and other community groups in the area and provide education about plastic pollution and its impact on the local and global environment.

皇冠体育app harbour redevelopment is the second investment to be announced in Sellafield Ltd鈥檚 newly relaunched social impact programme, SiX (social impact, multiplied.)

皇冠体育app company, along with its owner the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, is providing 拢1.15 million for the Edge and a further 拢93,500 for the Seabins.

Gary McKeating, head of community and development at Sellafield Ltd, said:

皇冠体育app harbour regeneration is a great example of the SiX ethos.

We鈥檝e co-created these plans with Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners and the Whitehaven Harbour Youth Project, leveraged additional funding, and the results will be schemes that will benefit as many people as possible.

That鈥檚 what we mean by social impact multiplied: working with others to create investments which are more than the sum of their parts.

This will create jobs, significantly develop Whitehaven鈥檚 tourism offer, and help strengthen and diversify the local economy.

Notes to editors

Coastal Communities Fund

皇冠体育app Great British Coast has enormous economic potential and this government is determined to see it thrive all year round.

That鈥檚 why by 2020 the government will have invested over 拢200 million in our much loved seaside areas through dedicated programmes like Coastal Communities Fund to help in generating jobs and boosting businesses.

So far, analysis has shown that this has been money well spent with every 拢1 invested having the potential to create an up to 拢8 boost to our coastal economies.

To find out more visit: Coastal communities fund

Grant recipients are free to publicise their project award however best suits their needs. But if you would like some further facts about the fund, or the wider regeneration work going on across the country, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is always happy to help.

Some additional key facts:

  • more than 11 million people live across the Great British Coast
  • the coastal tourism industry contributes 拢8 billion to the economy each year
  • the first 4 rounds of the Coastal Communities Fund invested over 拢173 million in 295 projects across the UK
  • Those projects are predicted to create or safeguard up to 18,000 good jobs UK-wide
  • across our Great British Coast we鈥檝e got heritage hooks to be proud of, but some of these places need some tender, loving, care. That鈥檚 why MHCLG has also invested 拢7.8 million through the Coastal Revival Fund to get 189 brilliant British coastal heritage assets back into ship-shape

Updates to this page

Published 29 July 2020