FOREWORD

As an island nation, our relationship to the border between land and sea is unique and deep rooted. Seaside towns share many similarities with their inland cousins, yet remain fundamentally different: climate, remoteness, ageing and transient populations, changing demands, balancing the needs of day-trippers with residents.

Despite a fall from Victorian grace, these much-loved locations have won a permanent place in the British psyche.Triumphs of imagination like the Sir Stuart Lipton Sir Neil Cossons Pavilion or Blackpool’s iconic Tower demonstrate an ability to adapt to changing fortune and fashion.

Ye t, perched on the edge of an eroding economic landscape, they have often struggled to maintain their foothold. In decline, seaside towns have fallen prey to the whim of speculative, short-term development that compromises their original grandeur and continues a downward spiral.

Older resorts have suffered a lack of investment and political will, with a steadily decaying and inadequate infrastructure, whilst new arrivals are vulnerable to poor quality development.We see too many examples where design quality is sacrificed in a desperate bid to secure investment, reducing the chance of long term success.

The sight of a pleasing promenade often obscures the real town; schools, shops, housing and healthcare are needed here like anywhere else. However, there is a rising tide of excellence and, in this unashamedly positive publication, CABE and English Heritage demonstrate the contemporary strengths of English seaside towns.

Examples are used of towns that have regenerated themselves as year-round places, balancing the needs of visitors and residents.The case studies reveal creative responses to modern demands: innovative offices; unique public space; essential public services; engaging visitor attractions.These kinds of projects help to ensure that our coastline remains a viable place to live, work and play for future generations.

A broad sweep from small contemporary to large historic projects is included. No single project could claim solely to have delivered regeneration, but each has contributed enormously,raising the game in places where design-led excellence had been unknown for perhaps a century.The publication demonstrates how, by going the extra mile and implementing design quality in response to present day requirements, seaside towns can continue to adapt to constantly shifting sands.

Sir Stuart Lipton Sir Neil Cossons Chairman, CABE Chairman, English Heritage

1

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 4

SUMMARY OF KEY LESSONS 6

CASE STUDIES O1 CRYSTAL PALACE BY THE SEA 10 The sound of the sea: De La Warr bandstand

O2 A NEW LOOK AT BOURNEMOUTH 12 Bournemouth Square

O3 FAR OVER THE SUMMER SEA 14 Brighton:

O4 SEASIDE RESTORED 16 , : Seaside Road Heritage Economic Regeneration Schemes

O5 THE FOLKESTONE VIEW 18 Folkestone, Kent: Saga’s Headquarters A place by the sea: Chummy’s Seafood Stall

O6 SEEDS FOR CHANGE 20 Hunstanton, Norfolk: Boston Square Sensory Park Clacton Marine Gardens

O7 TAMING CLACTON’S WILD WEST 22 Jaywick Sands, Essex: Lotus Way

O8 TURNING THE TIDE 24 , :The Tern Project Art on the seafront

O9 SURF’S UP! 26 ,: Beach Hut Café and Extreme Academy

1O CULTURED PEARLS 28 St Ives, Cornwall:Tate St Ives A cultural renaissance

11 THERE’S A SMALL HOTEL 30 , Cornwall: Hotel Tresanton

12 THE END OF THE SHOW 32 , : Pavilion Walking on water

13 WHERE CLEAN WATERS FLOW 34 Ventnor and Eastbourne:Wastewater treatment works A farm by the sea?

14 WINDOWS ONTO WHITBY 36 Whitby Abbey Heritage Centre

ON A WIDER CANVAS 38 Drivers for Regeneration

FURTHER READING 40

CREDITS 40 INTRODUCTION

of seaside towns have become used to Iiving with the promise of jam tomorrow. No one would pretend that there are any quick and easy solutions.While some may still dream of a return to halcyon days, most of those with responsibility for the future of seaside towns recognise the urgent need for change. For some this means the initiation of a process of masterplanning; for others a reassessment of strengths and assets, and using these to meet the demands and the opportunities of 21st century lifestyles. Some talk of ‘de-resorting’ to create a different kind of place in which people want to live and where there are jobs all year round. Others have taken small steps in the hope SOUTHPORT For much of the twentieth century that this will begin a longer march and sandcastles, sticks of rock, to restoring pride in the past and windbreaks and donkey rides were confidence in the future. the images of summers when, ‘Sea Changes’ showed that, in the according to memory,the sun always last 25 years, total domestic tourism shone. The commonly held view is in has hovered around 100 that, by the end of the century,many million trips each year; this figure seaside towns were in decline, does not represent an overall growth suffering from a low-wage economy, but neither shows a significant FOLKESTONE high claimant unemployment and fall. English seaside tourism, on the poor private housing, often with other hand, has fallen significantly from extensive multiple occupation.This 32 million to 22 million trips.The had a consequent effect upon the report identified a number of factors state of the built environment and the that were key to the success or failure public spaces that, in the past, have of the seaside town, including the given these towns their particular built and natural environment, charm.The English Tourism Council’s infrastructure and public facilities 2001 report ‘Sea Changes’recorded alongside core elements such as that ‘a number of resorts are now accommodation and entertainment. facing a range of social problems, ‘It only requires one element of the such as high levels of unemployment, product to be below standard to low income levels, poor levels of reduce the overall appeal of a resort.’ education skills and training and The report goes on to to consider housing problems more associated that ‘research and admission figures with those in inner city areas’, while show that England’s architectural and recent research undertaken by historic heritage is a major factor Sheffield Hallam University indicates making England an attractive that, over the past 30 years, seaside destination…seaside resorts have towns have been expanding made an enormous contribution to faster than many of their the cultural identity of England and inland equivalents. contain some of the finest examples Over the past ten years, a regular of our built heritage.’ cycle of conferences and seminars This publication looks at a number has sought to address the state of of very different ways in which seaside seaside economies.The residents resorts are developing, changing or

4 across the channel, able to afford both the time and the money to holiday on the continent. From the 1860s, the enterprising Thomas Cook took groups of tourists to Europe, combining transport and accommodation arrangements in a single package.A century later, the mass package holiday offered to millions more the opportunity of their first experience of foreign travel, first to European sunshine and later to places that had once seemed unimaginably far away. In 1968, holidays in seaside resorts still accounted for 75% of all main BRIGHTON holidays taken by Britons. By 1999 however,seaside holidays accounted re-inventing themselves and at the towns and cities. for only 44% of all holiday trips with role that new high quality buildings The seaside holiday grew in fashion. 42.8 million people taking holidays and open spaces that make the most By the beginning of the 20th century abroad and just over half that number, of their seaside context can have many of the country’s traditional some 22 million, spending at least one in these changes.The examples it seaside resorts were already well night at the British seaside.This steady describes are only a few of many established.With the added impetus long-term decline inevitably has had imaginative initiatives to be found of the 1871 Bank Holiday Act, regular a serious impact upon the seaside around England’s seaboard.They holiday trips – be they for a day or a economies.Always victim to the include the restoration of historic week – began to be part of the problems of seasonal employment, buildings; inventive improvements expectation of all classes of society. many resorts now lack the full benefit to sea defences and seafront public The train and the charabanc brought of the summer influx of visitors to gardens; the creation of new homes, thousands of visitors to resorts that underpin their traditional economic galleries and museums, hotels and were anxious to offer the very latest cycle. Even resorts that might seem restaurants by the sea; even in novelty,fashion and fun. In order to to be bucking the trend, including wastewater outlets with flair.While encourage visitors to return on a Blackpool, Brighton and they may not all be at the cutting regular basis, regeneration became an Bournemouth, are listed in the edge of contemporary architecture integral part of the seaside town’s top one third of the Office of the or design, they share a desire to persona. Seaside architecture, design Deputy Prime Minister’s Indices create a new coastal destination that and engineering, never afraid of being of Deprivation. is attractive to investors and business bold, quirky and idiosyncratic, In regeneration it is rarely possible and has an extended season beyond continued to dazzle right up to the to begin where you would like to. the peak summer months - beginning of the Second World War. Sometimes it is best to start with the places that cater for a range New hotels, car parks for the easy actions. Sometimes it is a single of contemporary visitors. increasing number of motor vehicles, initiative that sets renewal in motion; The English love affair with the lidos to catch the new fashion for sun- on other occasions it is the giant step seaside has been a long one. For worship, entertainment by day and forward.This book includes examples over 300 years the seaside played by night, all became part of the of both – from a seafood stall to a central part in English summer marketing of the summer holiday. masterplanning on a grand scale, holidays. In the 18th century the By the 1930s more than 15 million from single buildings to streetscapes search for health had encouraged the people were taking a week’s holiday to whole new communities.What development of the seaside resort at the seaside.The future of the they share is an ambition to revitalise with its bracing water and invigorating seaside town seemed assured. towns – and a city – by the sea, to air.Throughout the 19th century, There were clouds on the horizon, recreate the spirit of confidence and swifter transport, first by water,then however small. Even as early as the ambition that in their heyday made by rail and later by car,made seaside 1830s the French coast had begun to seaside resorts so successful. towns more accessible from inland attract wealthier holidaymakers from

5 SUMMARY OF KEY LESSONS

economy but while its achievements have undoubtedly helped others, the variety of the Cornish ‘tourism offer’ has in turn helped Eden. Nor is Cornish success rooted solely in tourism – new academic initiatives including the Peninsula Medical School and business ventures like Tripos Receptor,the chemical research company based in , have helped to create new jobs and new investment. Local authorities and the regional development agency have encouraged and supported sustainable growth and placed a collective emphasis on design quality.

SOUTHPORT PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUCCESS PLACES TO LIVE AND WORK None of the examples in this book The aim must be to produce effective has single-handedly reversed decline regeneration for living communities. and all their protagonists would Places where people want to live and recognise that successful regeneration work are likely to be places that depends on a package of measures people want to visit. Rising house including the transport infrastructure, prices can often squeeze out the the mix of visitor attractions, the indigenous population, especially the development of a night-time young, the very people upon whom economy,coupled with a safe night- the regenerated town will depend for time environment, clean beaches and its sustainable future.The evidence clean water,new businesses, real jobs is already clear in places like St Ives, and affordable local housing.This Whitstable and Whitby.Property often requires a public/private prices in Margate and Ramsgate have partnership in which local, and doubled in two years with the increasingly regional, agencies plan promise of high-speed rail links to BLACKPOOL and work with the private sector to London and of Snøhetta and encourage growth and development, Spence’s contemporary art gallery sometimes on an ambitious scale but to commemorate JMW Turner’s often on a single project that can connections with Margate. provide an incentive to other Meanwhile, the newly opened developments. National Maritime Museum and the In Cornwall, increasingly England’s imminent Combined Universities in tourism hotspot, it is this combination Cornwall are set to do the same for of actions, investment and Falmouth prices. Shops geared for the partnerships that has helped to more lucrative tourist market can produce what the Governor of the crowd out local traders; prices in new Bank of England recently described restaurants and coffee shops can be as ‘an economic renaissance’.A key beyond the reach of year-round driver in this success has been the residents.The answer lies not in Eden Project where the visitor preventing progress but in ensuring numbers have almost trebled the that, coupled with the development expectations of the business plan of an appropriately skilled workforce, and where 600 new jobs have been it creates better paid, sustainable jobs created. Eden has brought an and encourages the building of estimated £160 million into the local affordable homes and the

6 perpetuation of towns and villages volume of self-catering and hotel that people not only want to visit accommodation available all year but where the residents also want, are useful signs of success. and can afford, to stay. There is now a widespread acknowledgement that the future MEASURING SUCCESS of seaside towns depends upon There are no agreed measures for a sustainable 12-month economy, gauging the success of regeneration providing better-paid employment. at the seaside. Clearly in many senses In some places this will depend on the urban regeneration by the coast creation of a virtuous circle in which shares many of the ambitions and an attractive year-round community objectives for the renewal of towns draws in new business and provides inland but the traditional mix between new jobs that in turn sustain an resident and visitor and the strongly attractive year-round community. seasonal nature of seaside tourism Here the measures will include has, to date at least, given the business start-ups, employment seaside economy a curiously figures and the provision of lop-sided character. affordable housing. Undoubtedly much depends upon For some resorts new housing is the objectives of the regenerating the priority; for others it is bringing life FOLKESTONE resort. For some, the key aims will back into run-down areas.The history remain centred round the traditional of many resorts means that they tourism economy – the number and often possess town-centre buildings nature of visitors; the length of their of considerable heritage value but stay and the volume of their spend; in poor condition or no longer suited bed nights and available beds; hotel to their original use.The number of quality,business turnover and visitor these buildings improved or brought satisfaction. into contemporary use can be For those resorts seeking to stretch helpful measures of the success the season beyond the traditional of regeneration. summer months, measures of the In some localities, seaside towns average length of the season for have been the victims of their own hotels and visitor attractions and the success and rising house prices have

WHITBY

7 made it difficult for local residents to planning. Other government and non- enter the housing market.At the government agencies including the extreme end of this phenomenon, Environment Agency,the RSPB and small seaside towns have become the Countryside Commission also ‘second home cities’. Here the key take an active interest in the measures will be average house coastal environment. prices, the availability of affordable A report for the Standing housing and the frequency and Conference on Problems Associated number of housing starts. with the Coastline (SCOPAC), Many seaside resorts face the social ‘Preparing for the Impact of Climate BRIGHTON problems of any community in decline Change’, found that climate change – low self-esteem, high crime rates, could result in rising sea levels, vandalism, and high levels of churn changes in wave directions and both in jobs and in school attendance. increased rainfall, all factors that Measures in relation to these would have serious consequences elements of community health will be for the seaside environment. helpful in monitoring the achievement of a regeneration programme. PROTECTING THE SOUTHPORT PUBLIC REALM Meanwhile, people can be the greatest threat to fragile coastal habitats: a 2002 survey by the Marine Conservation Society found that, since 1994, litter on 229 UK beaches had increased by 50% while vandalism, damage caused by skateboarders tempted by the open spaces of the seafront, even the excesses of hen and stag parties can impact upon the urban landscape. To counter the damage to the physical fabric and atmosphere, resorts have looked to raise the quality of open spaces.

A DELICATE BALANCE One of the charms of English seaside THE SEASIDE ENVIRONMENT resorts has been the broad base of Although they have much in common their appeal.A trip to the seaside with towns everywhere, seaside remains as much about winkles and towns exist in a harsh environment jellied eels, a stick of rock even a kiss- and special consideration needs to be me-quick hat as it does about lobster given to the effects of wind and waves, thermidor,a caffe latte or fashionable flooding and erosion, salt, sunshine, boutiques.This is, however,no excuse humidity and sand. It is also a sensitive for the garish shoddiness with which environment; many seaside towns are low-quality private investment has close to sites that provide protection scarred so many seafronts. For those for birds, fragile physical features and resorts that wish to maintain their coastal marine life. seaside holiday persona the English Nature has published a trick is in getting the balance right position statement on the physical and in raising the quality without management of England’s shoreline, losing the capricious charm particularly in relation to coastal that has long characterised the defences and shoreline management English seaside.

8 STRETCHING AMBITION • delivers high investment returns Pavilion, Bexhill’s De La Warr Pavilion While this survey found a range of for developers and investors by or the Jubilee Lido by the sea in new ideas and new initiatives, many meeting a clear occupier , and that constructed were modest in scale.There is room demand that also helps to palatial hotels like the Grand in for more, for bigger,for better and for attract investors Scarborough and Brighton or the the inventive use of the large historic more modest but landmark Midland buildings that are to be found in many • enhances workforce performance on the seafront at Morecambe. seaside resorts.There is a paucity of and satisfaction and increases Already there are encouraging signs high quality new retail in seaside occupier prestige around the English coastline that we resorts, little indeed to match the are at the beginning of a new era charm and character of Brighton’s • delivers economic benefits of imagination. Lanes or the elegance of Southport’s by opening up new investment Lord Street.There are few attempts opportunities and delivering more to exploit the health-giving qualities successful regeneration of the sea and the seaside in the way that the French and others have • helps to deliver places accessible developed thalassotherapy centres. to and enjoyed by all Furthermore a number of seaside towns appear to lack the confidence • benefits all stakeholders - investors, to use their heritage as part of their developers, designers, occupiers, regeneration strategy.While they public authorities and everyday appreciate the contribution made by users of developments. BRIGHTON the historic environment, they can frequently falter when it comes to looking after it if there is the slightest hint of conflict with a more pressing social and economic agenda, even if the care and conservation of the historic environment might contribute to this outcome. It is evident, too, that there is room for the better promotion and celebration of the special nature of seaside towns.This includes their geography and heritage as well as the efforts that have been made to maintain their attraction for visitors. It is surprising how rarely successful new investment is lauded even in resorts’ own promotional brochures.

GOOD QUALITY,GOOD VALUE RESTORING CONFIDENCE The economic benefits of design, Imaginative architectural conservation set out in CABE’s Value of Urban and design are only a part of the Design, apply to all towns and portfolio of initiatives needed for cities wherever they are situated successful regeneration but they lie at and are worth repeating here. the heart of rebuilding the confidence Good urban design: of the seaside town, the same confidence that created Blackpool’s • adds economic, social and Tower with its permanent circus arena environmental value and does and stunning ballroom, that magically

not necessarily cost more or stretched piers out over the sea, that JAYWICK take longer to deliver designed Brighton’s unique Royal

9 O1 CRYSTAL PALACE BY THE SEA A SENSITIVE 21ST CENTURY MAKEOVER FOR A MODERNIST ICON

PROJECT THE SITE Bexhill, East Sussex: On the edge of the sea, in the quiet De La Warr Pavilion town of Bexhill-on-Sea, is one of a small number of iconic 20th century CLIENT buildings. In 1934, the 9th Earl of Rother District Council / De La Warr,landowner and socialist De La Warr Pavilion Charitable Trust mayor of Bexhill, commissioned the German/Russian partnership, Erich CONTRACT VALUE Mendelsohn and Serge Chermayeff, £6 million to create a Modernist pavilion that would contain an entertainments hall, Sea-facing façade ARCHITECT reading room, restaurant, conference of the Pavilion John McAslan & Partners hall, lounge bar,sun parlour and sundecks.The light airy building, which managed to capture the feeling of a transatlantic liner and THE ARCHITECT’S APPROACH the spirit of an era of sun worship, John McAslan & Partners won a 1991 has been described as ‘one of the competition to refurbish the Pavilion few truly world-class buildings in and has stayed loyal to the project Britain’. One of the first major ever since.This has given the practice

View of the welded steel-framed buildings in the unique advantage of De La Warr Pavilion England, the De La Warr Pavilion understanding the building in minute from the recently is Grade I listed. detail, even down to a study of completed bandstand individual door hinges.The refurbishment has been undertaken in three stages – repairing part of the external fabric, suffering from decades of exposure to wind and salt; the creation of a new art gallery and the refurbishment of the 1000-seat auditorium.Work has now begun on a fourth, and ostensibly the most dramatic, phase.This will involve the completion of the restoration of the external fabric, a re-modelled entrance hall, additional gallery space, a new bar,café and restaurant and two architectural additions to the Pavilion itself, including a studio dedicated to arts education and life-long learning. The challenge has been to provide new facilities, increase access and meet the demands of health and safety legislation without competing THE BRIEF with the language of the The passing years and the seaside Mendelsohn/Chermayeff original. environment had not dealt kindly to This has required a methodical the De La Warr and the 1991 brief for approach to conservation, detailed the architect was to restore the fabric research into Mendelsohn’s intentions, of this important building while contemporary solutions and, in the providing the facilities demanded case of the new additions, careful by the public at the beginning of a concealment to protect the Pavilion’s new century. graceful lines.

10 HELPING REGENERATION The new art gallery During the 1920s, while other seaside resorts, including neighbouring Eastbourne and Hastings, were actively aiming to attract tourists as a result of programmes of capital investment, Bexhill Council hesitated, anxious not to disturb the genteel character of the town. Early in 1933 Earl De La Warr,aware of the importance of tourism to Bexhill’s future economy,began to advocate the idea of a new entertainment centre for Bexhill. town becomes an important centre century,will help to trigger other The De La Warr Pavilion was thus for cultural tourism and a focus for developments both in the immediate from the start an ambitious model, sustainable economic tourism’. vicinity and the wider area. and perhaps also a lesson, for seaside The Pavilion’s management argues The De La Warr Pavilion initiative town regeneration. It is in this spirit that the refurbishment programme is one of a small number of that the Pavilion’s new trustee will safeguard 30 jobs and create developments to be given priority management board is approaching the 10 new ones, as well as helping to by the Hastings & Bexhill Task Force, final stages of the refurbishment. Its contribute an estimated £3 million a programme supported by the aim is to ensure that the Pavilion will to the Bexhill economy.The broader South East England Development ‘serve as a catalyst towards the wider hope is that restoring the Pavilion, Agency and the local authorities. ambitions for Bexhill, as the to create a venue for the 21st

THE SOUND OF THE SEA For a number of reasons, On the terrace below the Bexhill the creation of the De La Warr Pavilion is a more modest but no bandstand was a prolonged less imaginative creation. Reflecting process but this not only helped the design philosophy of his practice, to ensure a greater understanding Niall McLaughlin’s deceptively fragile of the exposed site but also, new bandstand was developed according to McLaughlin, allowed The iconic through an enterprising process of time for ‘a search for deeper Pavilion staircase collaboration that included working connections between the with children from six local primary bandstand and the Pavilion’. schools.The result is a very The mobile bandstand, contemporary take on a seaside which is constructed from tradition (Saltburn-by-the-Sea has pre-fabricated stressed ply recently recreated its bandstand but and fibreglass, won a RIBA in a more familiar style). Regional Award in 2002.

Niall McLoughlin’s bandstand at Bexhill

11 O2 A NEW LOOK AT BOURNEMOUTH A NEW FOCUS TO THE CENTRE OF BOURNEMOUTH HAS ENCOURAGED SHOPPERS AND SHOPS

PROJECT THE SITE the heart of the town, a place Bournemouth Square Bournemouth’s busy town centre is through which it is easy to move but divided by the gardens that flank the which at the same time encourages CLIENT narrow river Bourne as it nears the visitors and shoppers to stop and Bournemouth Borough Council sea. For many years the nodal point relax.Throughout the year the that joined the two halves of the square acts as a forum for a variety CONTRACT VALUE town’s shopping area was a busy of public events. £1.9 million traffic junction. During the summer, The new square, which measures peak pedestrian flows across the 13,500m2,contains a large mosaic by ARCHITECT/DESIGN square were about 4-5,000 people Maggy Howarth, featuring Neptune Landscaping: Gillespies per hour. and mermaids, in pebbles, slate and Café/camera obscura: limestone; a Millennium Flame and, Trinity Architecture THE BRIEF on the north side, a café/camera Through this project Bournemouth obscura, designed by Trinity Borough Council aimed to create a Architects.This two-storey circular traffic-free hub in the centre of town building contains a ground floor café that would allow easy movement of with a south-facing outdoor seating pedestrians from one side of town to area for 200. On the first floor, the other,act as a central meeting accessible by lift, the town and point and create a new civic space. gardens are reflected onto a

A bird’s eye view of the square from the observation balloon

THE SOLUTION viewing table by a camera obscura, The design solution was to construct housed within the rotating clock at a safe and comfortable environment the top of the pagoda-shaped roof. for people and, at the same time, The overall design of provide easy access to public Bournemouth Square was the transport.A new relief road took responsibility of Gillespie’s who traffic away from the square while the were selected as a result of a design use of adjacent roads was restricted competition, following a successful to buses and taxis. Pedestrian Capital Challenge funding bid in 1997. subways were removed and new The square, which opened in landscaping, aided by the square’s February 2000, won an RTPI Award parkland setting, helped protect the for Planning Achievement in that year square from the sight and sound of and was commended by the Civic the surrounding roads.The new Tr ust in 2001. square has become a focal point at

12 AN IMPETUS TO REGENERATION 1500-seat Pavilion Theatre, the While the driving force for the new Winter Gardens and Bournemouth square was Bournemouth Town Pier.As a result there is now a PFI Council, the project has been proposal for the Pavilion and the enthusiastically supported by the conference centre and the operation commercial sector.Debenhams has of the Pier has been put out to made a major investment in its tender.More controversially,the adjacent Bournemouth store while Winter Gardens site will be the square has encouraged new developed for housing.Away from arrivals such as Borders bookshop. the centre, there are plans to create The success of the square has an artificial reef for surfing at nearby encouraged the Council to look at , once a popular family other parts of the town that have resort with a sandy beach and its potential as gateways or sites for own pier.Meanwhile Bournemouth’s regeneration.These include the image has changed dramatically with Triangle on the northeast edge of the the large influx of students to the central shopping area where there university,art college and language are now plans to create a new civic schools in Bournemouth and nearby space.This is already the site of the Poole.An estimated 83,000 students new Bournemouth Library,designed attend courses there each year.It is The mosaic by by BDP,financed under the Private not surprising that for many young Maggy Howarth Finance Initiative and opened in the people,‘Bourno’ is now a major summer of 2002. centre for clubbing. These developments form part In its own bid to attract students, of a wider re-assessment of the Arts Institute at Bournemouth Bournemouth’s assets and potential. makes reference to ‘the fashionable This has included a review of a new-look square, [which] with its number of seafront buildings – the mosaics and stylish camera obscura International Conference Centre, centrepiece, gives an atmosphere of built in the early 1980s and now in continental chic, a perfect spot for need of upgrading; the Grade II-listed, people watching’. The camera obscura and pavement café

13 O3 FAR OVER THE SUMMER SEA A CONTEMPORARY DESIGN SOLUTION TO FILLING A GAP IN AN HISTORIC SEAFRONT

PROJECT THE SITE THE SOLUTION Brighton:Van Alen Building The developer Berkeley Homes The architect’s aim was to achieve purchased what was in essence a an overtly modern building that CLIENT brown field site on Brighton’s Marine remained in keeping with the Berkeley Homes Parade in 1998. Formerly occupied by character and historic shapes of its a petrol station, the site had for a long neighbours without attempting CONTRACT VALUE time been a gap in one of Brighton’s any kind of pastiche. Key to the Not available finest seafront facades that includes architectural solution was to find a a number of Regency houses by way to follow the shape of the site, ARCHITECT Charles Busby.Its high position on the to retain the building line between PRC Fewster cliff above Madeira Drive not only the premises on either side of the site provides panoramic views across the and, at the same time, provide the but also made it required sea views from apartments necessary to find an architectural at all levels.This was achieved by solution that would match the creating three matching stepped building line when viewed from blocks, together with a smaller block the beachfront. containing the entrance to the

The apartment set in its seafront context

THE BRIEF building from Marine Parade and a Berkeley Homes’ brief was to create small concierge flat.The right angles of the maximum number of two or the blocks are softened on the south three bedroom apartments, whilst side by jutting curves of glass and ensuring that all were as wide as white render which, when coupled possible and all would have sea with the use of stainless steel and the views.The apartments should have glass-fronted balconies, have strong direct access to and from an echoes of 1930s Modernism. underground car park.To the rear of By designing the apartments to run the seafront building, two affordable north south, all 37 units on six floors homes should be added to an existing have sea views.All above ground level block of mews houses and four new have balconies while the five three- houses constructed. bedroom duplexes on the top floor

14 have access to roof terraces. In most seafront promenade, the restored apartments the open plan living areas boardwalk and arches contain a are on the seaward side while the fishing museum, a smokehouse and bedrooms are to the rear,avoiding the a fish shop, while a pleasure boat noise of the road.There is a lift to all runs from the beach in the summer. floors in each block. At the other end of the scale, there Proposing a modern solution in an are major plans in hand for the historic seafront location required redevelopment of the Marina on the considerable discussion with both the east of the city,the site of the King local authority and English Heritage. Alfred leisure centre in the west and Plans for the building were considered the 15-acre former Brighton station by the Royal Fine Art Commission. goods yard to be known as the New The Van Alen Building, named after England Quarter. William van Alen, the architect of Meanwhile another landmark New York’s Chrysler Building, was seaside building languishes on the completed in 2001. seafront,Wells Coates’art deco Detail of the apartment block showing .This Grade II* glass-fronted balconies BRIGHTON’S REGENERATION building,an exemplar of functional The Van Alen apartments were all form,has been at the centre of a series sold within three hours of coming of rescue attempts,as has Eugenius onto the market and in 2002 City Birch’s 1866 .Both buildings Lofts sold off-plan 61 flats in the were included in English Heritage’s former Brighton Argus printing works Register of Buildings at Risk 2002. in the lively North Laine conservation area.The speed of both these sales reflects Brighton’s rising popularity as a place to live. Brighton and officially became a city in January 2000.This accolade marked recognition of a process of regeneration, which had set out to restore the resort’s fading charms. Led by the local authority,in Brighton’s Moshi partnership with the private sector, Moshi restaurant the programme focused on a number of development zones.These included the regeneration of the seafront and the creation of a cultural quarter,the refurbishment of the Museum and the Dome, and a new location for the Central Library designed by Bennetts Associates. Frequent attempts to revive Bartholomew Square on the edge of the Lanes have been rewarded by De Rijke Marsh Morgan’s low but atmospheric Moshi Moshi Sushi restaurant, the first Moshi Moshi to be opened outside London. Under the Ocean Boulevard scheme, simple but effective streetscape improvements to the road that runs from the station down to the sea reduced vacancy rates from 55% in 1997 to 10% in 2001. Below the

15 O4 SEASIDE RESTORED PARTNERSHIP AND RESTORATION HELP TO REGENERATE A STREET IN DECLINE

PROJECT THE SITE THE BRIEF Eastbourne, East Sussex: Seaside Road runs almost parallel to The aim of the Strategy was ‘to Seaside Road, Eastbourne’s seafront Grand Parade. address the physical, social and With its attractive mixture of economic problems of Seaside CLIENT Victorian Italianate villas and terraces Road and set targets and timescales Eastbourne Borough Council and Edwardian Dutch-gabled brick for the regeneration of the area’. and private owners terraces, Seaside Road had provided an important focus for shopping and CONTRACT VALUE entertainment during the first half of £21 million the 20th century.The department store at the junction of Seaside Road and Terminus Road was occupied by one of a number of national retailers to trade there and Seaside Road boasted a theatre, the 1883 Royal Hippodrome, still operating today,and two cinemas, the 1906 Tivoli and the The former Manhattan cinema 1914 Manhattan.The opening of the Arndale Centre in 1980 marked the beginning of a slow decline for the road, culminating in the closure of the department store in 1998. Falling income made it difficult for owners to invest in the upkeep of their premises. The residential accommodation, often Edwardian examples of live/work space above retail premises, was in Edwardian Dutch- poor condition.The 1991 census gabled brick terraces showed that 10% of residents lived in above Seaside Road’s accommodation that lacked basic retail premises amenities.An increasing number of vacant premises and boarded-up buildings hastened the deterioration of the once attractive streetscape. By 1999, 23% of properties were vacant. THE SOLUTIONS In July 2000, Eastbourne Borough Seaside Road had been made a Council launched its Seaside Road Conservation Area in 1990 and Regeneration Strategy. funding had already been found for restoration work focused on individual buildings. In 1993, English Heritage and the Council set up a shop-front restoration programme and in 1997 this was encompassed within a Conservation Area Partnership Scheme (funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund) that enabled a £500,000 three-year programme of further restoration. The creation of the Regeneration Strategy gave a new focus to the Borough Council’s plans and enabled The department store the development of funding at the junction of Seaside Road and programmes and the private sector Terminus Road partnerships that would be necessary

16 to achieve the strategy’s aims.The redeveloped into 15 flats by HERITAGE ECONOMIC Council formed an officer working the Northern British Housing REGENERATION SCHEMES group that brought together lead Association. From the autumn of HERS were launched by English officers from environmental health, 2000 to the end of 2002, house prices Heritage in 1999. Delegated to local regeneration, housing, highways and in and around Seaside Road have authorities and match-funded by a planning enforcement who continue risen on average by almost 57%, variety of partners, HERS offer to meet monthly to coordinate compared to a 42.5% increase in the grants towards the cost of repairing development and funding Halifax House Price Index over the buildings, reinstating architectural programmes. In 2001 the Seaside same period. details and features and enhancing Road programme was awarded a To gether with East Sussex County the public realm. HERS schemes grant under English Heritage’s Council and English Heritage, the have focused on commercial and Heritage Economic Regeneration Council is now developing a major mixed-use conservation areas, which Scheme (HERS) which over three street improvement and traffic are important to the local economy years is contributing half the cost of management scheme including one- and where employment-generating a further £370,000 regeneration way traffic flow, pavement widening, activities such as neighbourhood programme. improved lighting and street furniture. businesses and corner shops provide Multiple ownership - there are a focus for community life and over 100 owners of property in HELPING REGENERATION prosperity.In seaside towns this Seaside Road - has on occasion made The Seaside Road strategy is one of extends to the repair of hotels such progress slow but, while the Borough a number of public and private sector as the Royal Victoria Hotel in St. has made it clear that it is prepared initiatives for the regeneration of Leonards on Sea and terraces of to use its powers of enforcement Eastbourne. Other projects include guesthouses in Lowestoft. Other including compulsory purchase to the development of the Sovereign maritime buildings repaired in this achieve its aims, it has sought to Harbour marina with its waterside way include the new Norfolk Nelson develop a series of partnerships with cafés, bars, restaurants, shops and Museum in Great Yarmouth and the the private sector.The Council’s ability 3,000 new houses, 1500 of which Halfpenny Pier and kiosk in Harwich. to offer funding incentives, including are already built; the £10 million HERS provide an extremely flexible Empty Property Grants, has clearly restoration of the Grand Hotel; plans and accessible regeneration funding helped this process. for the creation of a new £8.5 million source and generate funding from Already there is evidence of art gallery in a cultural quarter that a variety of sources.A 2002 study success. Behind the restored frontage already incorporates the Congress of 21 HERS schemes shows that of the Manhattan Cinema are eleven Theatre and the Winter Gardens, on average £10,000 of heritage housing association flats; Edwardian both Grade II listed. In January 2002 investment levers £46,000 match shop fronts have been recreated; the Council reviewed its 2001 funding from private and in 2001 Southern Horizon Housing seafront strategy designed to public sources. opened Haughton House, a new make Eastbourne’s seafront ‘more development of 18 flats and three attractive to families as well as shop units while, across the road, providing many other attractions a former furniture store has been for visitors and residents’.

Many Seaside Road shop fronts have been re-furbished or recreated

17 O5 THE FOLKESTONE VIEW PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERS COLLABORATE TO MAKE FOLKESTONE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK

PROJECT THE TOWN manages to take advantage of its site After years of decline, a series Folkestone was once a busy whilst avoiding overpowering the of public and private initiatives cross-channel port and a popular village below. It is framed by two glass has begun to revitalise the town’s holiday resort.The decision to close towers that provide access by foot fortunes; the projects range from the car ferry in 2000 and the freight to the upper floors, surmounted Michael Hopkins and Partners’ service from 2001 ended, at least by revolving ventilation units that Saga HQ to Bond Architects’ temporarily,Folkestone’s long history achieve low-cost ventilation in the Chummy’s Seafood Stall. as a ferry port and, no longer busy open plan offices.The second maintaining its popularity as a building, to the west, is an airy hall with seaside resort, Folkestone found a vaulted roof of tensioned fabric. itself in steady decline. Serving as a reception point for visitors, a home for the staff crèche, canteen, shop and training centre, the Pavilion acts as the communal centre of the Saga campus, representing the public face of Saga and the company’s commitment to its community. Opened in 1998, the Pavilion has become an important and popular venue for local events and Saga ensures that there are no charges to the community groups using the facilities.

WORKING TOGETHER Saga employs some 750 people in its new headquarters, part of a total company workforce in Folkestone of 2,200.Attracting and retaining high quality staff are among the company’s key concerns. Central to maintaining improvements to Saga’s job stability Saga’s six-floor, glass-fronted office SAGA’S HEADQUARTERS index is making Folkestone an building framed by The Saga group has been a attractive place to live.This requires two glass towers Folkestone company since its not only affordable housing and inception. Its £22 million good schools but also a pleasant headquarters built in 15 hectares of environment for shopping, parkland above the small village of entertainment and leisure.A number Sandgate, just west of Folkestone, was of public/private partnerships have commissioned from Michael Hopkins been developed to raise the quality and Partners in 1996.The choice of of life in the town. Shepway District The tented pavilion site had been a controversial one and Council, Kent County Council and agreement to allow the construction private businesses have worked required considerable consultation together to develop regeneration with the local community and the programmes.Among the most planning authorities. important are proposals to establish a creative quarter based around the THE ARCHITECTS’ RESPONSE Old High Street and the sadly Hopkins’ approach was to create neglected Tontine Street, which two buildings – a glass-fronted office surround a vacant piece of land building on six floors and a separate known as Payers Park.Payers Park tented Pavilion.With stunning views would be home to a new arts college, across the Channel to the French providing a focus and a driver for the coast, the large office building revitalisation of the surrounding area.

18 REGENERATION Folkestone Enterprise Centre in FUTURE ISSUES Already there are early signs of Shearway Business Park has 66 office As always, successful regeneration success. On the harbour is Chummy’s units and workshops, occupied by depends upon a series of factors. seafood stall. Strange Cargo, a carnival small and new businesses. On the Not least in the case of Folkestone, and celebratory arts company,is edge of the proposed creative and East Kent as a whole, is the established in its offices and gallery quarter,Kent County Council is need to improve the transport in the Old High Street.The Sound completing a major renovation of infrastructure.While road access to Lounge, a music venue, has recently the 1888 Folkestone Library and London is good, travel around East opened in Tontine Street.The Museum with the help of funding and Kent, vital for a workforce drawn Metropole Arts Centre provides a support from the Single Regeneration from across the sub-region, is less focus for the visual arts and acts as a Budget, the Arts Council’s Lottery satisfactory.Train links are poor – motor for the creative quarter,the Fund, the New Opportunities Fund, journeys to London, a distance of plans for a new sculpture park on and the District Council.This includes about 70 miles, are scheduled to take The Leas and the burgeoning a new foyer designed by David Adjaye about 90 minutes and can be much Folkestone Literary Festival. New and an entrance screen by Chris longer.The prospect of the opening conference facilities in Leas Cliff Hall Ofili, winner of the 1999 Turner of the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link will provide for up to 1500 delegates. Prize. Importantly there is also to commuter traffic will provide a A new shopping centre is planned strong media support for major boost to Folkestone and the for Bouverie Place.The new Folkestone’s renaissance. East Kent towns.

A PLACE BY THE SEA As a result of this initiative, other local Chummy’s Seafood Stall is set in businesses have been improving their Folkestone’s waterfront area at the premises (one has even clad his foot of the town. Part of a wider caravan in cedar).According to the scheme led by Kent County Council County Council there has been a and Shepway District Council to noticeable increase both in the public regenerate the area, this modest use of this new civic space and in local design shows that small can be both economic activity.The waterfront beautiful and effective.Tony Pye, the improvement scheme was completed owner of two harbourside seafood in the summer of 2001. stalls, held a competition, won by Over the past few years a number Norfolk-based Bond Architects, to of seaside resorts have developed a create a single contemporary stall reputation for offering good seafood that would reflect the wider changes in attractive surroundings. Further being led by the local authorities’ around the East Kent coast from regeneration team.The site stands Folkestone, the component parts of on the south-western side of the the Whitstable Oyster Fishery Co. – harbour,looking on to the newly its beach-side fish restaurant, the East

designed pedestrian area.The brief Quay Shellfish Bar and the seafront Chummy’s Seafood Stall: was simple – to create a temporary Hotel Continental – have all helped a modest project showing seafood stall for £45,000. to attract a new clientele to this just what can be achieved This modest project is an excellent attractive coastal village. Meanwhile on a small budget example of what can be achieved, in , Rick Stein and other even with a relatively small budget, restaurateurs have helped to re- with an insistence on good design. brand this North Cornwall port, with Funded by the Arts Council’s Arts its working harbour and plethora of 4 Everyone scheme, the architectural restaurants, as the culinary centre of competition, coupled with the local the southwest. Over nearly 30 years, authority’s wider £1.5 million Stein’s own businesses have grown programme of harbour-side from The Seafood Restaurant to two regeneration, helped to ensure a hotels, a café and a seafood cookery high quality and imaginative solution school. Padstow, with a population to the reinvention of an attractive but of about 3,000, now attracts about run-down corner of Folkestone. a million visitors a year.

19 O6 SEEDS FOR CHANGE A NEW GARDEN PROVIDES INSPIRATION FOR REGENERATION IN A CONSERVATION AREA

PROJECT Sculpted walls made of gabions of flint Hunstanton, Norfolk: Boston Square Sensory Park

CLIENT Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk

CONTRACT VALUE £0.3 million

ARCHITECT Jeremy Stacey Architects

THE SITE THE ARCHITECTS’ RESPONSE Although forming a prominent part Central to the architects’ approach of the Hunstanton Conservation was consultation with potential users, The works of art Area, the centre of Boston Square including special needs groups, local extend the tactile nature of the garden had fallen into a sad state of neglect, authority members and officers. being used as a car park. Its condition An extensive analysis of the half- reflected the dilapidation of some of hectare site – its geology,history and the large Victorian properties, which landscape context – formed the basis form the three-sided square that of discussions with local people.The looks west to The Wash. architects deliberately kept an open mind and allowed these meetings to THE BRIEF shape and refine the plans.This helped The architects’ brief was to create a develop a sense of community stimulating garden environment, giving involvement and, subsequently,local special emphasis to the needs of the ownership of the new park. elderly and people with disabilities. It was set within the Government’s SHAPING THE SITE Capital Challenge initiative and the The scheme divided the park into Council’s Local Agenda 21 objectives three main areas, reflecting the for sustainability.The brief drew geology and soils of Hunstanton.At attention to the site’s natural slope the highest part of the site a ‘cliff top’ towards the sea, existing trees, and area mirrors Hunstanton’s chalk proximity to the seafront, public walks meadow grassland while the area and residential area. Emphasis was nearest to the sea represents the placed on public consultation and shingle beach; in between a lawn in the inclusion of works of art. the form of waves reflects the unique

20 strata of chalk and carrstone of the ART IN THE PARK local cliffs.The site has been sculpted In partnership with the artist by terraces, platforms and walls made Elizabeth-Jane Grose, the architects of gabions of flint.The design has commissioned a number of art works incorporated most of the existing that have been incorporated into the trees, including two Holm oaks that garden design.These include an frame the view from the paved ‘arrival interactive water installation and a court’, allowing disabled visitors to ‘human sundial’ where the viewer alight safely from their vehicles. Paths acts as the gnomon and, for visually around and across the park provide impaired visitors, electronic sensors Boston Square,a three- sided space with views easy access for visitors with impaired cause bells to ring out the time. to The Wash mobility or in wheelchairs, as well as Garden furniture has been specially for parents with small children. created for the site, making subsequent additions of standard PLANTING FOR THE SEASIDE local authority waste bins seem CLACTON MARINE GARDENS Two factors governed the choice of somewhat out of place. Clacton’s seafront gardens date from plants for the park. Most importantly, 1921. One of 34 gardens in coastal the planting had to be suitable for the HELPING REGENERATION towns included in English Heritage’s seaside site. Secondly,the planting The garden opened in 2000 and Register of Parks and Gardens, they should stimulate the senses – touch, subsequently won an award for its are set on a cliff top site stretching sound, sight and smell.Where contribution to conservation and west from the Venetian Bridge which possible, plants native to the area improvement in the countryside.The crosses Pier Gap, a cutting leading were used, especially in the shingle aim was to give new life to the centre down to Clacton’s 1871 pier. garden. Elsewhere grasses, evergreen of a square that had been allowed to Recognising that Clacton’s tourism shrubs, low maintenance perennials decline. Enthusiastically supported by market was changing,Tendring and bulbs give the garden the district authority and the town District Council’s tourism and year-round interest. council, the park has proved popular economic development departments reviewed a key stretch of seafront, visited by an estimated 2.5 million people each year.It was agreed to focus on improving Marine Gardens that, by the late 1990s, had become tired and overgrown.The authority successfully obtained a £416,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards a £554,000 project which included repairs to the Venetian Bridge. The new gardens, designed by the Landscape Partnership, retain many of the original features, but the designers added a Mediterranean, and a Sensory Garden. Lighting improvements made the area safer at night, and access for disabled people was improved to all parts of the garden.A designated cycle The materials used with local residents and visitors. path and play area were included and the strong three-dimensional Importantly the presence of the with new interpretation panels forms reinforce the new park has begun to help to providing information on planting. park’s sensory quality regenerate the square itself. Significant Following the improvements, improvements have been made to visitor numbers have increased and the two sentry houses that border there are signs of new developments the square on the seaward side. along the seafront road.

21 O7 TAMING CLACTON’S WILD WEST A HOUSING ASSOCIATION HELPS TO IMPROVE A VERY SPECIAL SEASIDE COMMUNITY

PROJECT THE SITE Tr ust became involved in a Jaywick Sands, Essex: West of Clacton, overlooking an regeneration programme involving Lotus Way attractive stretch of sandy beach, both Tendring District Council and the is a highly idiosyncratic seaside local community in what was by then CLIENT community of large beach huts a Rural Priority Area, through which Guinness Trust squeezed onto a plotland estate Jaywick Sands had already achieved created in 1929 by the developer a sea-front community centre, an CONTRACT VALUE Jack Stigman.A motor-racing Enterprise Centre and street lighting. £2.5 million enthusiast, Stigman based the layout of the Brooklands Estate on the THE BRIEF ARCHITECT design of a Bentley radiator grille and The brief was to design and build Pollard Thomas & Edwards named the roads after popular makes 40 new family homes including of car,Riley,Talbot and Morris.The two- to three-bedroom houses very basic buildings that were erected and two-bedroom bungalows on the site were owned mainly by for the elderly and people Londoners and occupied under strict with disabilities.

A group of 10 of the 40 new homes

rules, including no overnight stays. THE ARCHITECTS’ RESPONSE Part of the existing Despite lacking even the most Pollard Thomas & Edwards have Jaywick Sands rudimentary facilities, in the years created a group of red cedar-clad community, after the war,the Jaywick Sands houses using prefabricated walls, overlooking the sea community became a more floors and roofs, reflecting the timber- permanent one.The devastating clad nature of many of the original floods of 1953 cost 35 lives at the estate properties.The homes face then unprotected resort.Attempts south towards the sea on a site by the local authority in the 1970s behind the original Brooklands Estate, to purchase and then demolish the formerly occupied by a Butlins holiday estate failed and, though basic camp. Design has taken careful services were then provided, the account of the prevailing weather quality of Jaywick Sands housing conditions and the maritime location remained low. In 1997 the Guinness and aims to create properties that

22 The exterior of the new houses reflects the appearance of many of the original estate properties

require low external maintenance. remain high and vandalism on the Use was made of passive solar gain older parts of the estate continues and shading and the buildings are to be a problem, improvements are highly insulated to reduce running being made to existing properties costs.The new homes are built and house prices are now rising around a small square, planted with rapidly.Lotus Way,a newly fruit trees.A wetland nature habitat constructed road that runs through was created to deal with storm-water the site of the new properties, has and natural species found on the site already made a considerable Detail were relocated. difference to the whole estate and was adopted early in 2003. Hitherto HELPING REGENERATION the maintenance of all roads in the The original idea was that the 40 Brooklands estate has been the new homes, financed in part from a responsibility of Jaywick Sands successful bid to the Capital Challenge Freeholders Association. fund for housing, would be used to re- At a beachfront site on the edge house the occupants of the 40 worst of the estate, a private developer is properties on the estate.The vacated now building three new blocks of premises would be demolished and apartments, a total of 18 flats with new homes built or open spaces balconies facing the sea.The created in the cramped estate. In the promotional website quotes both event, many of these residents proved the new road and the creation unwilling to leave their homes. of 40 homes at the rear of the Nevertheless all 40 properties are existing village. now occupied by Jaywick Sands Lotus Way has won an RIBA householders.There are plans to Housing Design Award and a develop the second part of the site. Civic Trust Rural Housing Award. Although unemployment levels

23 O8 TURNING THE TIDE PUBLIC ART GIVES A NEW FOCUS TO MORECAMBE’S SEAFRONT

Morecambe’s sea-front façade from the point- THE SITE THE AIMS of-view of the popular Like many seaside resorts The development project sculpture of Morecambe’s popularity had declined had two aims: Eric Morecambe since the 1970s when competition and a lack of investment in an ageing • to create new breakwaters to infrastructure and historical assets provide headland protection, began to take their toll. Possessing to repair or replace parts of the Britain’s largest continuous inter-tidal existing seawall and to introduce coastline, ,a Site of artificial sand nourishment to Special Scientific Interest, is rich with sections of the foreshore migrant bird-life with an RSPB reserve covering 2500 hectares.At the same • to introduce features of the bird-life PROJECT time Morecambe’s exposed position into the new coastal defences and Morecambe, Lancashire: has meant that, over the years, a series Promenade.The objective was to The Tern Project of storms severely damaged the make these high quality,attractive, seafront. Following a storm in 1990, educational, durable and fun CLIENT Morecambe achieved funding to Lancaster City Council improve coastal defences and for THE APPROACH derelict land clearance.The The Tern Project, as the public art CONTRACT VALUE: opportunity was taken to use this programme is named, involved a £21 million necessary work to give Morecambe project team made up of engineers, (coastal defences) an identity and create an attraction landscape architects, planners, artists, £1.37 million based around Morecambe’s sculptors and education officers (public art programme) natural setting. from the RSPB.

24 Shona Klinoch’s ART ON THE SEAFRONT seagulls Another much-praised example, this time of artists collaborating with architects, is Bridlington’s south promenade where Bruce McLean, Chris Tipping and Mel Gooding worked with Bauman Lyons to create a public space that, together with the new Headland Café, has helped to lift visitor numbers to this East Yorkshire town.Although it is beginning to show signs of premature ageing, the effects of sun and salt, the Bridlington promenade complete with new beach huts and A team of artists, led by Gordon of artists while at the same showers is a fine example of a Young, was appointed. Perhaps the time being able to deal with lengthy promenade held together most successful of the new works, the potential damage from the by good design and bucketfuls of A Flock of Words,is the result of a harsh seaside environment. wit and style. collaboration between Gordon Young Funding for the sea front Like the constantly changing sea and the London-based design work came from the Ministry of itself, seaside art can be ephemeral company, why not associates.There Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, like David Ward’s light-work are five more works on the Stone the Single Regeneration Budget, local ‘Pier and Ocean’ at Lowestoft Jetty,all that remains of the 1853 authorities and the private sector. or Esther Rowlandson’s light harbour that now forms a central part The art programme was supported decks for Brighton. of the new sea defences. More art by the Arts Council’s Lottery Fund draws the visitor along the seafront, and North West Arts Board. past the new RNLI Lifeboat Station. Lighting by Jonathan Spier has added IMPACT ON REGENERATION to the Promenade’s attractions. The Tern Project has been focused The most popular of the new on the seafront and on the road work is the lively sculpture of Eric leading to the new shopping and Morecambe (by Graham Ibbeson) entertainment precinct containing The Flock of Words surrounded by a typographical a supermarket, four-screen cinema, memory of the entertainer,again the Festival Hall Market and a by Gordon Young and why not bowling alley. associates,overseen by some Overall the project has delightfully chubby seagulls by undoubtedly been a popular success Shona Klinoch. Morecambe was an and helped to ensure that three enthusiastic supporter of the RSPB million day visitors still visit and the sculpture portrays him as an Morecambe each year,although only ornithologist, binoculars around his a tenth of this number stay overnight. neck. Following the Queen’s unveiling Critics have commented that, in of this statue in 1999, tourism resorts where the sole emphasis has sculptures by Eric Gill and a mural enquiries doubled and this much- been placed on the seafront, too little by Eric Ravilious, and the Grade II* photographed sculpture has become attention is given to adjacent roads Victoria Pavilion (1896) by Mangnall a leitmotif of much of Morecambe’s and buildings. Morecambe is no and Littlewood. promotional material. exception and attention will soon There are promising signs that the The project has not been without need to be turned to the town Midland will be restored. Only time its challenges and at times both artists behind the seafront. Moreover the will tell whether on this occasion and engineers have been on steep developments along the new sea this Grade II* building will at last learning curves. Not least of the defences have served to emphasise be recovered from its current difficulties has been to find a way the sorry state of Oliver Hill’s dilapidated state and brought of meeting the technical demands important 1933 Midland Hotel, with back to its former glory.

25 O9 SURF’S UP! PUBLIC / PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS HELP TO REINVENT A SEASIDE TOWN

PROJECT THE SITE sits at the east end Newquay,Cornwall: Newquay is the largest of the seaside of Newquay.The 65-room Watergate Beach Hut Café and towns on the North Cornish coast, Bay Hotel is at its most easterly point, Extreme Academy a traditional bucket and spade resort. close to a car park and easy access to Although it still has about 4.3 million the two-and-a-half-mile long beach, CLIENT visitors a year and achieves 7 million which is privately owned.At the foot Extreme Academy bed-nights annually,it has shared with of the access road are the adrenaline- others a period of under-investment. pumping Extreme Academy and the CONTRACT VALUE Many hotels are showing their age Beach Hut Café, developed on the £0.5 million and there has been a consequent fall site of a small takeaway café and in the number of visitors, a decline beach shop. ARCHITECT made more painful by the relatively Andrew Dart short summer season. THE BRIEF Since the 1920s, Newquay’s sandy The brief for the Beach Hut Café and beaches have been a magnet for Extreme Academy was an unusual surfers and the town claims to have one:‘to create a ski resort on a been the birthplace of European Cornish beach’.

The design of the new extreme sports centre sits comfortably in its seaside setting

surfing.The development of the THE SOLUTION wetsuit has turned this into a year- The Beach Hut bistro and bar form round activity enabling surfers to take the focus for the seaside sports advantage of different weather centre.The two-storey timber building conditions.The attraction of the surf with its slate pitched roof is in two beaches for swimmers, walkers and adjoining parts.The 80-seat bistro and spectators – even storm watchers – kitchen occupy the upper floor of the has now been recognised as a major larger section with views out across Kite surfing,just one of asset for Newquay,encouraging the the beach and the surf.The building the adrenalin-pumping sports available to town to rebrand itself as the surf contains an office and a meeting learn on the beach capital of Britain. room, capable of hosting small

26 seminars.There are two wooden The wooden balcony balconies on the side of the bar and running along the side of the building offers bistro for summer use and a small fantastic views of the terrace joins the two parts of the sea and beach activities building at first floor level.A wooden staircase leads down from the bar terrace to the beach. In the adjacent smaller section is an extreme sports shop, changing rooms and tuition centre, offering coaching in surfing, windsurfing, land yachting, kitesurfing, wave skiing, buggying and mountain boarding. In keeping with its setting and lifestyle, the building has a casual, almost rough and ready character, even more so internally where colour- stained wood has been used to resemble driftwood washed up onto the beach below. Like the balconies, the full run of windows with their painted frames takes full advantage of the location.

HELPING REGENERATION undertaking a major scheme to Stansted to Newquay has made the The Beach Hut is a symbol of the improve traffic management in the surf beaches easily reachable from re-invention of Newquay.The highly centre of town and there are London and the southeast. Flights are appropriate nature of its design has proposals for a new bus station. operating at 70% capacity and Ryanair undoubtedly captured the imagination With the active support of the reached its first-year target of 100,000 of its clientele and the business now South West Regional Development passengers six weeks ahead of employs 65 staff during the peak Agency and District schedule.The company has increased summer season and ten throughout Council, the town has established a the frequency of its flights and is the year.Its 1999 business plan working party that brings together considering introducing new routes. forecast an annual turnover of the public and private sector to work £190,000. By 2002 this figure had collectively for the regeneration of already reached £1.1 million. In 2000 Newquay.Recognising the crucial the Academy won a Business Award importance of partnership for the for Entrepreneurship in the Devon future of the resort, the primary aim and Cornwall Millennium Awards. of this Core Group is to get Newquay The 2001 World Pro Kite Surfing to speak with a clear voice.An early Championships took place on action will be to commission a land- Watergate Beach and in 2002 it use masterplan. was the venue for the first European Surfing is already estimated to be Kitesurfing Championship. worth £40 million a year to the 27 of Newquay’s hotels are now resort, witnessed by the number of The increasingly open all year round, a clear sign of the surf shops that fill the town. It is now characteristic image way in which the Newquay season estimated that 60% of businesses in of Newquay has stretched beyond the summer Newquay benefit from the surfing months.The Headland Hotel has industry.Surfing’s attraction not only recently opened a number of self- to the traditional young surfer but also catering cottages and apartments. to a new breed of wealthier and older New restaurants have opened on enthusiasts has given Newquay a Harbour Beach and Tolcarne Beach. bigger market.The success of Cornwall County Highways are Ryanair’s low-cost daily flights from

27 1O CULTURED PEARLS THE PIONEER OF CULTURAL REGENERATION SET A CONTEMPORARY DESIGN STANDARD

PROJECT THE SITE and a rooftop café. Funding came St Ives, Cornwall:Tate St Ives The site of the derelict St Ives from local authorities, Europe and gasworks was steeply sloping and the private sector,including £125,000 CLIENT badly contaminated but as the site for raised locally.The gallery opened Cornwall County Council/Tate a Tate Gallery in St Ives commanded in June 1993. Gallery a superb position, overlooking the sweep of Porthmeor Beach. HELPING REGENERATION CONTRACT VALUE Tate St Ives was perhaps the pioneer £3.4 million (including THE BRIEF of a new cycle of seaside town land purchase) The brief stated that ‘the building regeneration and set a high standard should be stimulating, imaginative in terms of ambition and design. ARCHITECT and excellent. It should be equally Although there was some local Evans & Shalev attractive to the arts enthusiast and opposition, the local authorities and to the family on holiday’, and that many local businesses were quick to the design of the gallery should be see the potential economic benefits

The proximity of the gallery to the beach reinforces its appeal to arts enthusiast and family visitor alike

‘a building of architectural significance’. that the new gallery could bring. The brief also set out requirements Early estimates were for 75,000 for design and environmental visitors a year.In the event, first-year conditions that would enable loans attendances reached 200,000. By from the Tate Gallery’s collections. January 2000, there had been more than 1.2 million visits to the gallery, THE ARCHITECTS’ APPROACH 78% from outside Cornwall and an Evans and Shalev were appointed as estimated 15% from overseas. Having the result of an RIBA competition. originally estimated a permanent staff The two architects knew St Ives well; of six, supported by part-time staff this was reflected in the design in and volunteers,Tate St Ives now which the curves of the Loggia and employs 69 full- and part-time staff, the rotunda recall the former while a number of external jobs have gasometer while the honey-coloured been created in providing services to stone echoes the sand of the beach the gallery.Inevitably this success has Installation by below. In addition to the five galleries placed a strain on a building designed Jim Lambie the building also includes an for fewer visitors and a smaller education room, a bookshop number of staff.

28 A CULTURAL RENAISSANCE facilities and support services. Falmouth houses the National Both buildings provide a cultural Maritime Museum Cornwall, a highly component to Poole’s waterfront praised new museum designed by regeneration that will include Long & Kentish.This £28 million a graceful bridge designed by landmark building has begun to have Wilkinson Eyre. an effect on the regeneration of its In Margate ambitious plans are former industrial site, forming one afoot to create a new contemporary side of a new Museum Square that art gallery to commemorate JMW will house shops, cafés, offices, a Tur ner’s connections with this East cinema and apartments.Attendances The new National Kent resort, long suffering from during the opening ten weeks Maritime Museum economic decline.The Anglo- reached 112,000, almost three times in Cornwall Norwegian partnership of Snøhetta the forecast estimate. 50 new jobs The Tidal Zone: and Spence’s new gallery,alongside have been created and the museum the museum’s a Grade II-listed stone pier,will form is supported by 150 volunteers. underwater gallery a crucial part in the regeneration of In Poole, the 1970s Lighthouse Arts Margate’s Georgian old town and Centre has been given an £8.5 million the wider economic renaissance face-lift by Alan Short Associates, of East Kent. opening up the public spaces, and using glass, steel, colour and light to create a contemporary atmosphere. Poole is also home to the Study Gallery,a £2.4 million white cube by Horden Cherry Lee Architects for . Bournemouth and Poole College Services. Half of this three-storey building is occupied by a 12-metre The Flotilla: glass atrium while the other half the gallery exhibits a houses the College’s contemporary changing programme of boats from the art collection, a range of education Mueum’s collection

To some extent these pressures have whole of Cornwall.About 70% of The characteristic quality of St Ives light, been shared with the town with businesses surveyed believed that the from the café window increased demands on public opening of the Tate had benefited transport, traffic movement and their own trade. 85% believed that parking. For most, these disadvantages the Gallery had benefited the town. have been outweighed by the benefits. The West Cornwall Tourist Board St Ives portrays all the signs of success survey in the same series showed that – year-round activity and employment, 58% of the visitors to the Tate gave a new restaurants and cafés, a growing visit to the gallery as their main reason number of galleries, craft and jewellery for coming to Cornwall. shops and rising house prices. Council officers estimated that less In 1994/95 Cornwall County than a year after the Gallery’s opening, Council undertook five economic the Tate had increased sales in St Ives impact studies on the effect of the businesses by 5%, representing an Tate both in St Ives itself and increase in employment of up to across Cornwall. 15 fulltime equivalents.At the end These showed that the Gallery had of 1998, hoteliers told The Guardian already had a significant impact in the of an estimated 20% increase town and some impact across the in business.

29 11 THERE’S A SMALL HOTEL… DESIGN AND INDIVIDUAL DRIVE COMBINE TO RESTORE A FADING HOTEL

PROJECT THE SITE THE DESIGNER’S APPROACH St Mawes, Cornwall: Hotel Tresanton is set on a steep hill With the help of a local architect, Hotel Tresanton above the coastal road that snakes Peter Bailey,and using a local builder, around St Mawes harbour. Polizzi set about modernising the CLIENT The building, which incorporates a hotel. Major work involved forming Olga Polizzi small building from the 1760s and the new corridors by removing the back site of a house destroyed by fire in the of the existing hotel building.This CONTRACT VALUE early 1950s, is built on several levels meant that the existing corridors that £2 million cut into the hillside and has extensive had divided bedrooms could be views over the bay.Well known and incorporated into the bedrooms, DESIGNER popular in the 1950s and 60s, the 18- giving each a lobby and en suite Olga Polizzi room hotel was a former yacht club. bathroom.The former staff By the mid-90s,Tresanton had fallen accommodation situated at the top on hard times. Open only in the of the site was turned into a further summer,it had suffered a sharp series of bedrooms.Two two- decline in visitor numbers and bedroom family suites were created, employed only a small number of each having its own terrace.The staff.The hotel was purchased by restaurant overlooks the sea with a Olga Polizzi, Design Director for terrace for summer dining and the Rocco Forte Hotels, in 1997. St hotel now also has an adaptable Mawes has a year-round population cinema and conference facility.Not of about 2,000, more than doubling surprisingly,high quality design has in the summer months. been a strong element of the hotel’s

The hotel in context

THE BRIEF refurbishment and the result is The owner-designer set herself the an individual hotel that reflects task of turning a run-down family its maritime setting. hotel into a comfortable The marine environment has contemporary hotel with 26 rooms, required the use of building materials all with en suite bathrooms and and paints that can withstand winter sea views, capable of operating winds, as well as the sun. Even so, the throughout the year.The aim was facade of the hotel requires repainting to revive a casual but elegant on an annual basis.The plastic atmosphere in keeping with windows that scar the face of so its seaside location. many seaside town refurbishments have been carefully avoided.

30 The hotel is built on View out to sea: several levels on a site the relationship of the that incorporates an hotel to its marine existing building environment is key

HELPING REGENERATION Both Hotel Tresanton and Exploiting a niche market,Tresanton St Mawes benefit from the wider is now open the whole year round. regeneration of Cornwall. Improved Comparatively expensive for roads and low-cost flights into Cornwall, it is nevertheless achieving Newquay airport have made west 85% occupancy throughout the year Cornwall more accessible.The hugely with the majority of guests coming successful Eden Project has provided from London and the southeast. a major boost to Cornish tourism, The hotel employs over 50 people already helped by the Tate at St Ives all year round with this number rising and now with the addition of the to over 60 in summer months.A National Maritime Museum number of staff are recruited from at Falmouth. outside Cornwall but many are local Regeneration projects frequently and include former students from depend upon a project champion for Cornwall College.The hotel also their success. Sometimes this might be makes a point of providing places for a local authority,a housing association, Cornish trainees and employing a on other occasions it might be an number of people with learning individual like the 9th Earl De La Warr difficulties.While Hotel Tresanton is in Bexhill or Olga Polizzi in St Mawes. independent of Rocco Forte Hotels, St Mawes harbour it has been able to take occasional advantage of their training programmes, which can offer a particular perspective normally unavailable to staff in smaller hotels. In addition to providing some local employment, Hotel Tresanton purchases most of its produce from local suppliers. It spends about £70,000 annually on meat through a local butcher and a similar amount on locally caught fish. Small shops in the town are now open all year round and other local hotels and pubs are undergoing refurbishment. House prices are rising rapidly.

31 12 THE END OF THE PIER SHOW A BOLD NEW DESIGN AT THE END OF SOUTHPORT’S PIER COMPLEMENTS THE TOWN’S SEAFRONT REGENERATION

Made of steel,glass and aluminium,the pavilion, complete with swooping roof,stands on a concrete slab on two rows of piles

PROJECT THE SITE THE BRIEF Southport, Merseyside: Southport Pier opened in 1860. The brief set for architects entering Southport Pier Pavilion It remains the country’s second the 1997 competition was a simple longest pier,stretching for more than one – to create a pavilion for year- CLIENT a kilometre.Although the pier had round use at the end of Southport Sefton Borough Council been listed as Grade II in 1976, 14 Pier,housing ‘a café/restaurant, years later the local authority applied a multi-function interpretation CONTRACT VALUE for its demolition, a proposal that was area and a reception/shop’. £0.5 million only narrowly defeated. In 1998 it was closed for safety reasons.Two THE ARCHITECT’S SOLUTION ARCHITECT years earlier,Sefton Council and the Shedkm, a -based firm, Shedkm Liverpool local Chamber of Commerce and set out to create a contemporary Industry formed the Southport building that would complement the Pier Trust and, by 1999, had Victorian pier.Rather than place the successfully raised funding from the pavilion on the pier itself they Heritage Lottery Fund and from the proposed a new building, moored like European Merseyside Objective 1 a ship alongside the pier head, giving Programme to begin a two-phase the added advantage of a restoration programme. construction that would move independently of the pier in rough weather.The result is a delicate steel, glass and aluminium pavilion with a swooping roof, standing on a concrete slab on two rows of piles.An ‘air floor’ provides heating out of season and the circulation of cool air in the summer.The cantilevered roof on At more than one the pier-side will provide shelter kilometre long, for the three-car tram when it Southport Pier is England’s runs once more along the second longest newly restored tram-track.

32 HELPING REGENERATION The pavilion’s construction means Southport’s longevity as a seaside that,in rough resort owes much to the town’s weather,it moves capacity to change and develop. independently of the Pier itself Planning mistakes hindered this development but a series of new initiatives has helped to place the town in the UK’s top ten short break and conference resorts, attracting visitors throughout the year for its access to its six golf courses and increasingly to the nature reserves to the north. The history of Southport Pier is almost a lesson in regeneration in itself. Frequent fires, storm damage and threats of demolition have long dogged its existence.The restoration of the pier and the creation of its new pavilion have been accompanied by a In the distance, five-year programme to strengthen ‘Professor’ Gadsby,part of a programme of art the town’s sea defences.The new £8.6 along the seafront million Marine Drive sea wall has provided protection from tidal WALKING ON WATER flooding for the central seafront, Piers have long been a feature of the enabling the development of new British seaside resort, first as a way of leisure and entertainment facilities, enabling visitors to reach shore dry- close to the sea. Sadly the new £23 footed, and then to allow million Ocean Plaza shopping centre promenaders the health-giving turns its back on the sea, despite its experience of walking out across the waterfront position. sea. By the last quarter of the 19th Fortunately the floodwall that century,piers became the must-have protects Marine Drive has itself been for resorts eager to increase visitor graced with new seating and lighting numbers. By 1900 almost 100 piers and some strong examples of public Hospital, built in 1862, has been stretched out from the British coast. art, much of it with a marine theme. converted into the Damage from fire, storm and neglect, The works on the seafront are part of apartments by Blackthorn Homes. the high costs of maintenance and a wider programme, co-ordinated by The proposed Southport Eco the breaching of many piers during Partnership Art, now Eaton Waygood Visitor-Centre on the Esplanade will the 1939/45 war have reduced that Associates.This includes a towering be the transfer point for the town’s number to 55, and some of those, sculpture of ‘Professor’ Gadsby,a one- park-and-ride programme.This new like Brighton’s once magnificent West legged diver who used to entertain building aims to be ‘a practical Pier,are fighting for survival. the crowds by diving into the sea demonstration of sustainable However,the attraction of the pier from the end of the pier. construction and renewable energy’ remains strong and many resorts Linking the seafront will be the and will include an integral 30-metre (including Clevedon, Saltburn, new Marine Parade Bridge for which high wind turbine to generate Southend, and Swanage) have Babtie are the structural engineers electricity for the building, solar and sought to restore their piers, often and Nicoll Russell Studios, the photovoltaic panels to assist with with help from the Heritage Lottery architects.This £5.7 million project, heating, and water collection Fund.The ‘first new pier of the new which is due to be completed in 2004, technology.It will incorporate a millennium’, in Southwold, opened to will much improve the transport classroom for up to 60 children the public in 2001. links between the town centre and and an exhibition area promoting the seafront. Further along the the themes of energy,transport Promenade, the former Promenade and tourism.

33 13 WHERE CLEAN WATERS FLOW IMAGINATIVE APPROACHES TO LESS APPEALING ASPECTS OF URBAN LIFE

PROJECT THE SITES Ventnor and Eastbourne The European Bathing Water Waste Water Outlets Directive sets down minimum and mandatory standards for the quality CLIENT of seawater around European coasts. Southern Water Both these sites form part of Southern Water’s programme to CONTRACT VALUE improve the quality of seawater Ventnor £14 million around the southeast coast. Much of Eastbourne £42 million this work involves engineering work below ground but inevitably these ARCHITECT sites, on the edge of the sea, Ventnor: Rainey/Petrie/Johns demanded sensitive and imaginative Eastbourne: Philip Parker, solutions to the necessary above Eastbourne Borough Council ground structures.The Eastbourne wastewater treatment plant is located on Langney Point on Prince William Top:Eastbourne Bottom:Ventnor Parade, a prime seafront location close to the Sovereign Harbour ARCHITECTS’ SOLUTIONS Eastbourne Waste Water Outlet viewed marina, the Ventnor pumping station The wastewater treatment works at from the beach… at Lion Point.This is a prominent site Eastbourne had to be built over a large underground box, the size of a football pitch, containing the main treatment processes.Above ground, a building was required to house the control room, electrical distribution and a sludge processing plant.The agreed solution was a red-brick building designed to resemble a Napoleonic fort, complementing the 1804 at Seahouses, part of the chain of Martello towers built to defy Napoleonic invasion. External at the foot of the steep road that facilities include car parks and public twists its way around the Victorian toilets, a tearoom and extension to Cascade Gardens and the point the town’s promenade.A design- where the Royal , and-build contract resulted in demolished in 1993, once reached disappointment over some of the the shore.The site offered stability in detailing and the original plans to an area of coastline famously prone allow public access onto the fort have to landslip. not been realised for health and safety reasons.Work was completed in THE BRIEF 1996. Of the total cost, almost 90% The Eastbourne brief to the architect was spent on the work underground. was to create a works superstructure The Ventnor building conceals both that would suit its local environment a pumping station, carrying treated while at Ventnor the design of surface and stormwater three kilometres into works for a large sewage tank and the sea, and a storage pump tank pumping station had to turn a holding up to two million litres of functional facility into an attractive, stormwater,preventing it spilling onto useable feature for tourists and the beach in heavy rain.The architects visitors and offer some of the set out to create a building that would …and Ventnor opportunities that used to be be a major feature in this visually provided by the pier. sensitive Victorian resort.The

34 bandstand above the control building The red brick building at Eastbourne houses acts as a covered viewing platform, the control room giving panoramic views of Ventnor Bay and a sludge and St Catherine’s Point. Much of the processing plant structure is reinforced concrete but the building is a mixture of stone, render and marine detailing to reflect its seaside location with strong echoes of the former pier.A series of inlaid tiles indicate distances from Ventnor to other towns and cities around the world.The surrounding setting allows access to Ventnor’s popular sand and shingle beach.

HELPING REGENERATION Before the building of the Langney Point treatment plant in Eastbourne, wastewater was released into the sea through a short outfall pipe.The works now treat 74 million litres of waste each day before releasing treated water 3.2 kilometres out to sea. Clean seawater is an essential part of a successful seaside resort but treatment works have not always proved to be an attractive part of the landscape. Both these buildings represent an imaginative approach to what are important but potentially less appealing aspects of urban life. The Eastbourne ‘redoubt’was originally built at the edge of town, Ventnor conceals since its completion in 1996, there A FARM BY THE SEA? a pumping station has been considerable housing Just north of Scarborough on carrying treated and storm water three development nearby.This has been the Heritage Coast, close to the kilometres into the achieved without concern or Cleveland Way long-distance sea,and a storage tank complaint. Indeed the building has footpath stands a typical Yorkshire holding up to two million litres of become a tourist attraction in its farmstead.This new grouping storm water own right.The surrounding area is, of buildings, designed by York-based, however,poorly maintained, a point Brierley Groom & Associates, noted in the Borough Council’s new includes farmhouse, barns and seaside strategy. silos, all ingeniously disguising a Below the Ventnor bandstand, large wastewater treatment works. a new fair-weather haven is being The Scalby Lodge farm works were constructed for the use of completed in 2002 at a cost of commercial and recreational craft £27 million as part of Yorkshire as part of the Eastern Esplanade Water’s £120 million CoastCare development.The Isle of Wight programme.This programme Council has drawn up a brief for has been supported by two further mixed-use development, pressure groups for clean seawater, possibly including a restaurant, Surfers Against Sewage and the seafood preparation and shop, Sons of Neptune, as well as the a chandlery and a sailing club. Marine Conservation Society.

35 14 WINDOWS ONTO WHITBY A STRIKING NEW ARCHITECTURAL INTERVENTION BREATHES LIFE BACK INTO 18TH CENTURY DERELICTION

PROJECT THE SITE major reassessment of the site and Whitby Abbey Visitor Centre The medieval Whitby Abbey stands its environs, was a joint initiative of on the southern headland above the English Heritage, Scarborough CLIENT popular harbour town of Whitby.The Borough Council and the present English Heritage abbey ruins were handed into the owners of the House, the Strickland care of the Ministry of Works in 1936 Estate. Major funding came from the CONTRACT VALUE and are now the responsibility of European Regional Development £2.847 million English Heritage.The creation of a Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund. new visitor centre formed part of the ARCHITECT Whitby Abbey Headland Project, THE BRIEF Stanton Williams a programme of archaeological To create a visitor centre which would research, evaluation and excavation link the visitor experience to the work,undertaken by English Heritage whole of the Abbey site, from Saxon during the 1990s.After considering times through the 17th century to a number of potential options for a the present day. new centre on the site, including a new building, it was proposed that it THE ARCHITECTS’ SOLUTION should be created within the nearby Stanton Williams were appointed in Banqueting House, built between 1998 to design a new building within 1669-72 by Sir Hugh Cholmley as an the shell of the ruined Cholmley embellishment to the Cholmley family House.Their elegant response is a home.The building lost its roof in a steel and glass frame that sits behind storm in 1790 and has stood empty the 17th century façade, carefully The sophisticated relationship between ever since.The project, which included avoiding disturbance to buried the new intervention a new ticket office and car park on the archaeology and to the fabric of the and the historic south side of the Abbey as well as a existing building. Much has been done Whitby Abbey

36 The quality of design, The approach materials and across the restored construction is a key cobbled gardens contribution to the success of the project

to retain the feeling of the original Museum), panels, video, and touch Whitby on several occasions, most building and the initial approach screens, designed by the York-based recently in 2003.The Captain Cook across the restored 17th century PastForward.The building also Memorial Museum, in a harbour-side cobbled gardens, discovered in good includes a ticket and information desk house where Cook lived as an condition during excavation of and shop.A glass-sided steel bridge apprentice, has recently opened a centuries of soil, gives few hints as to from an unblocked first floor doorway new extension. Shops selling Whitby the true nature of what lies ahead. provides easy disabled access onto jet, once a symbol of Victorian The centre, which is on two floors, the Abbey site.A new tearoom has mourning, abound as do celebrations connected by both staircase and lifts, been opened in Abbey House, of the pioneer photographer Frank has successfully incorporated high which stands behind the centre. Sutcliffe, Bram Stoker’s Dracula and quality contemporary design, The centre opened in the summer a more modern literary connection engineering and style into its historic of 2002 and has won a RIBA White with AS Byatt’s Possession, recently frame. Blocked windows in the north Rose Award and the RICS Yorkshire filmed in its Whitby location. House and west walls have been opened to Award for Tourism. prices, that more ominous sign of give historically important views over successful regeneration, have been the Abbey and the town of Whitby REGENERATION rising rapidly. below.To the south a new glass and Whitby has successfully played its two The Whitby Abbey Visitor Centre, timber curtain completes the strong cards, geography and history. which stands at the top of the damaged original elevation.York stone Its position at the base of a narrow legendary Church Stairs, the 199 and oak floors are edged by glass gully at the mouth of the River Esk steps that take the visitor up from panels on the first floor and the gives it a natural beauty and much, the town, is a reflection of the new precise detailing includes furniture though by no means all, of the town Whitby.It is clear evidence of how especially designed by Stanton retains its historic character.There has good contemporary architecture Williams.The visitor is introduced been a considerable increase in visitor can exist in harmony with the old to the history of Whitby Abbey and numbers to the harbour because of and what good design can achieve aspects of the town’s own history its connections with Captain James in regeneration - in sharp comparison through a variety of interpretative Cook.Thousands of visitors crowded to the car parks and supermarket on methods, including museum objects into the town to see the replica of the banks of the Esk below. (some on loan from the Whitby Cook’s Endeavour when she visited

37 ON A WIDER CANVAS DRIVERS FOR REGENERATION

Many of the case studies considered unemployment rises from 6% to 14% here are individual initiatives.In a in the winter months with consequent number of major resorts,however, social problems. matters are unfolding on a larger Blackpool had already begun a scale.Though there is no denying the redevelopment of its southerly impact of single building projects, promenade with new seawalls and successful regeneration is likely to some striking public art. Its new flow more readily from a structured approach to its future is, however, approach.This section outlines four on a grander scale – a major main approaches: reassessment of the future of the town.The immediate objective is to 1 a process of masterplanning produce ‘A Vision of the Successful Visitor Experience’, a spatial 2 a series of zoned plans to provide development plan and a series of focus for future development individual masterplans for areas where comprehensive development or 3 working with designers to create redevelopment is proposed, focussing ideas for future resorts first on the four kilometres of seafront between Blackpool’s south and north 4 adopting policies and practices piers.The key to future success must BRIGHTON to promote design quality be public and private partnership and cooperation, with competition based primarily on quality and not on price. Blackpool’s local plan is a bold and ambitious target and an element of the resort’s aspirations depends upon the creation of new casinos or,more particularly,resort casino hotels. Blackpool hopes that the liberalisation of gaming legislation, proposed in the 2001 Report of the Gambling Review Body,will provide ‘a stimulus to major redevelopment of the resort’s urban fabric, as has occurred in Las Vegas and Atlantic City’. The resort is not however concentrating solely on gambling. There is much emphasis on Blackpool as a family attraction, a conference centre and a festival city,capitalising on the town’s fame for its illuminated trams by making Blackpool a ‘Capital of Light’, with schemes to do more to celebrate Blackpool’s rich architectural heritage and to upgrade the tired tram system.

VENTNOR BLACKPOOL BRIGHTON & HOVE An estimated 85% of Blackpool’s Design is a key feature of Brighton & economy is dependent on tourism Hove’s Local Plan:‘all new buildings will but like many other resorts the town be expected to demonstrate a high has been caught in a spiral of decline, standard of design and to make fuelled by lack of investment.A high a positive contribution to the visual level of employment is seasonal and quality of the environment…unless

38 a development proposal is within an HASTINGS AND BEXHILL area featuring a distinctive historic In Hastings and Bexhill, the South style of architecture, replication of East England Development Agency existing styles and pastiche designs (SEEDA) commissioned a masterplan will be discouraged.’ that would represent a 30-year vision The city’s desire to be for the two towns; a vision statement characterised as a place of ambition, Towards a Masterplan was published. energy and culture determined that The goal of this plan is ‘to co-ordinate it should be seen a city that would the growth of attractive, connected not tolerate the mundane. and prosperous communities and Rather than develop a masterplan, districts by improving transport Brighton & Hove’s approach to infrastructure and initiating planning has been to focus on a appropriate development number of development zones in the around quality public space’. belief that this has allowed a greater In the summer of 2002 Hastings degree of flexibility in the longer-term was designated by English planning process.To ensure Partnerships to be the last of seven co-ordination, officers from all Millennium Community projects appropriate departments work selected to demonstrate new together on individual projects approaches to 21st Century living steered by a designated lead from which others can learn. NEWQUAY officer for each project. The national programme aims to deliver somewhere between 5,000 SCARBOROUGH and 6,000 dwellings over the course Possibly the country’s oldest seaside of a seven to 10-year period. MBM’s resort, Scarborough is one of the first draft masterplan looks to the creation six towns to be part of Yorkshire of ‘new vibrant sustainable Forwards’ imaginative and innovative neighbourhoods on under-used land Urban Renaissance programme. around existing and new stations with Community ownership of more frequent train services’. regeneration dreams and plans is at The target is to build more than the heart of the Yorkshire Forward 1,000 new homes together with BRIGHTON programme structured around a new country park, commercial, community audit and consultation. community and leisure facilities. The publication of A Vision for The Hastings and Bexhill Task Force, Scarborough, set out a ‘ten towns’ charged with the responsibility of vision, celebrating the strengths of progressing the regeneration of the Scarborough as a springboard for its two conurbations, aims to make this relaunch.A Town Team now meets Millennium Community a UK monthly to drive the process forward showcase for the best in and all 35 members have signed domestic design. Scarborough’s Renaissance Charter which sets out commitments to SOUTHPORT change and plans to achieve it. There is widespread acknowledgement that Scarborough must change.The Renaissance programme with its focus on improving the public realm is beginning to bolster self-confidence and to encourage the recognition that to make Scarborough a better place to live and work, and thus to visit, Scarborough must first help itself.

39 FURTHER READING SHIFTING SANDS Sea Changes:Creating world-class resorts in England RESEARCHED AND WRITTEN BY: Timothy Mason English Tourism Council, 2001 ISBN 0 86143 240 1 EDITORS: Annie Atkins & Kate Trant Francis Golding Building in Context: CONSULTANT: New Development in historic areas Barry Shaw, Kent Architecture Centre PHOTOGRAPHY: English Heritage/CABE, 2001 Mark Ellis & Ashley Bingham at ICD Ltd STEERING GROUP: Heritage Dividend 2002 Nicholas Antram English Heritage English Heritage, 2002 Allan Brodie English Heritage Jenny Carlile English Heritage John Dent English Tourism Council The Register of Parks and Gardens: An introduction Elizabeth Robertson VisitBritain English Heritage, 1998 Annie Atkins CABE We are grateful to all the people who helped Lynn F Pearson Piers and Other Seaside Architecture and supported the creation of this publication. Shire Publications, 2002 ISBN 0 7478 0539 3

Stephen Braggs and Diane Harris Sun,Fun and Crowds: Seaside holidays between the wars Tempus, 2000 ISBN 0 7254 1891 2 English Heritage is the Government’s John K Walton The British seaside: statutory adviser on all aspects of the Holidays and resorts in the twentieth century historic environment. Manchester University Press, 2000 English Heritage ISBN 0 7190 5169 X (hardback) ISBN 0 7190 5170 3 (paperback) 23 Savile Row, London W1S 2ET T: 020 7973 3000 F: 020 7973 3001 Joseph Connolly Beside the Seaside www.english-heritage.org.uk Mitchell Beazley,1999 ISBN 1 84000 164 X

A Design Statement for Cornwall: Achieving Quality in the Built Environment CABE, the Commission for Architecture and the Cornwall County Council, 2002 Built Environment, is the nation’s champion for better places: places which work better,feel better, are better. The Value of Urban Design Thomas Telford, 2001 ISBN 0 7277 29811 0 CABE Tower Building, 11 York Road London SE1 7NX State of nature:Maritime – getting onto an even keel T: 020 7960 2400 F: 020 7960 2444 English Nature, 2002 ISBN 1 85716 647 4 www.cabe.org.uk

Conservation Issues in Strategic Plans Although every care has been taken in preparing this publication, no responsibility or liability will be Countryside Commission/English Heritage/English Nature 1993 accepted by CABE or English Heritage or their ISBN 0 86170 383 9 employees, agents and advisers for its accuracy or completeness. Natura 2000:Indications of Good Practice for establishing Further copies of this management schemes on European marine sites publication are available from: EN, SNH, EHS (DoE (NI)), JNC & SAMS 2001 ISBN 185716 577 2 English Heritage Customer Services Department www.visitbritain.com PO Box 569 Swindon,Wiltshire SN2 2YP www.britishresorts.co.uk T: 0870 333 1181 F: 01793 414 926

Product Code: 50792 © English Heritage/CABE 2003 Designed by: www.draught.co.uk Printed by Wolsey Press Limited

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