Plans to create a piazza-style gateway to the sea located between the Oasis Sports and Leisure Centre and the former Kit Kat site in Hunstanton are due to be unveiled next month to enable local people and visitors to comment on the proposals before the design is finalised.
Cllr Jason Law, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, explained: “We’ve been working closely with ward members and local town councillors to come up with a scheme that will significantly improve this important through-route from the car park to the seafront. Local organisations and businesses have also been involved in workshops to help select street furniture designs and to determine the types of materials they would like to see used. We now want to get the views of local residents and visitors on the proposals we are putting forward.”
The plans include transforming the road which leads from the Seagate car park, past the back of the Oasis Sports and Leisure Centre, to the seafront, into a paved piazza-style area incorporating seating and lighting. Paving will be designed to create an even surface and a safe and pleasant environment for pedestrians whilst maintaining access for service vehicles.
The Oasis service area will be screened off with a sensitive planting scheme. Tamarisks, with their attractive pink flowers, have been chosen because of their ability to thrive in seaside environments. The lifeguard building and beach office will be relocated to give an uninterrupted view to the sea. The appearance of the public conveniences will be improved by re-facing the exterior with materials that reflect the design of the new scheme.
Cllr Elizabeth Watson, Hunstanton Ward Councillor, added: “Hunstanton is treasured by visitors and residents alike. We’ve been working really hard through our In Bloom efforts to make sure that the town looks its best and creates a great first impression. However, we recognise that there are still some areas that aren’t up to the same high standard. Seagate has been identified as a priority area and the proposals we have put together will really transform this key gateway to the seafront.”
The proposals are currently being drawn up in detail ready for public consultation. They will put on display around the resort in time for the late May Bank Holiday weekend.
In the meantime, plans to replace all the promenade seating have now been finalised. Seafront businesses, Hunstanton Town Council representatives and members from the Civic Society have helped to choose the design for the new seating which is due to be installed in time for the late May Bank Holiday. The bespoke design will be modelled on the sea-serpent of the traditional Victorian-style seating and produced in modern materials suitable for a coastal Seagate was identified as a key area for development in the Hunstanton Town Centre and Southern Seafront Masterplan, published in July 2008.
Plans will go on display in Hunstanton once they are released for publication.