Great Yarmouth Borough Council has laid out an ambitious new vision for one of the country’s most significant coastal employment areas.
The new South Denes Masterplan and Marketing Strategy was commissioned by the council on behalf of the Great Yarmouth Town Board to help unlock the site’s potential as a nationally recognised hub for offshore energy, marine engineering and clean industrial growth. The aim is to cement the town’s position at the forefront of the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Building on the recent investment in the town’s Herring Bridge and other work, the masterplan is designed to support wider regeneration, job creation and long-term economic resilience in the borough.
Produced by Prior + Partners, working with Ramboll and Cushman & Wakefield, the new strategy provides a framework for land, infrastructure and investment decisions and has been guided by the requirements of existing businesses, landowners and potential investors in the sector – such as RWE, Equinor and Peel Ports.
Councillor Daniel Candon, Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s portfolio holder for Economic Development and Growth, said: ‘’The 90-acre South Denes peninsula is an area of huge potential for the borough and East Anglia.
‘’The masterplan and marketing strategy provides us with an excellent blueprint as we look to support businesses, drive investment and attract new companies to take advantage of everything the area has to offer.
‘’We are determined to make sure we do all we can to create the best possible environment to attract new jobs and employment opportunities for local people in a location that is exceptionally well placed to take advantage of the rapidly expanding offshore, marine and clean energy sector.
‘’It will better enable us to work more effectively with the port, landowners, investors and partners as we look to align decision making over the next 15 years.’’
The industrial and port area of South Denes peninsula sits at the mouth of the River Yare, extending from Haven Bridge to the deep-water outer harbour. It includes active and potential development land on both sides of the river.
The masterplan defines several areas – each with their own distinct character, economic function, land-use mix and development opportunities. While South Denes is the primary focus, the plan also focuses on its relationship with the town centre and nearby industrial areas, as well as considering the regional needs of the Southern North Sea energy corridor.
It details how momentum can be built to provide clarity and confidence to businesses and a shared direction for future opportunities and project delivery.
South Denes is already a very productive hub which generates £275.5m gross value added (13.1 per cent of the borough’s output) from 2,360 jobs – including 28 per cent of local professional/technical roles and more than a third of logistics employment.
The Port of Great Yarmouth handled 1.9m tonnes in 2023, far higher than regional comparators. And the planned expansion by Peel Ports will add ten hectares of laydown and 350m of quay.
Councillor Candon said: ‘’We are focused on delivering new jobs, skills and community regeneration. South Denes has the potential to support thousands of high-value jobs across engineering, fabrication, maritime services, technical consulting and clean energy.
‘’Partnership working and collaboration will be crucial and this new masterplan will help strengthen Great Yarmouth’s leading position in the UK’s offshore, energy and clean energy sectors helping the country meet its net zero targets and maintain energy security.
‘’The southern North Sea basin has the highest concentration of operational offshore wind farms in the world, with more than 1,000 turbines – most within 160km of Great Yarmouth. We are the nearest deep-water port that can provide full operations and maintenance capabilities to the sector.
‘’The Town Board identified the need for a strategic blueprint that will enable South Denes to respond to and accommodate future demand and, crucially, outline actions that will enhance its appeal.’’
