Up to 60 new jobs will be created as part of Trinity House's multi-million pound expansion in Harwich.

About 150 jobs have already been saved as a grant of £2.5 million from the the East of England Development Agency has been secured.

Following major redevelopment of the quayside area, a further 60 jobs will be created.

Under the plans, the existing 1950s buoy repair yard will be replaced by a modern office building designed to blend in with other buildings in the surrounding area.

The buoy repair operation will then be moved to the south end of Trinity Pier beside a new stores facility.

Planning permission for the scheme has not yet been sought and the future of the existing office buildings has yet to be determined.

The grant was awarded on the basis that Trinity House retained its operation in Harwich until at least 2013.

As a result of a restructuring programme, the lighthouse authority had considered closing the Harwich site.

However, the East of England Development Agency worked with groups in the town to find a way of maintaining Trinity House's presence in the area.

The grant has now been formally agreed and will contribute towards a project to create a main base in Harwich.

East of England Development Agency chief executive Bill Samuel said securing the future of Trinity House in Harwich had been made possible through a successful partnership involving Tendring Council, Harwich MP Ivan Henderson and the co-operation of Harwich International Port owners Hutchinson.

Mr Samuel added: "Harwich is one of the agency's priority areas for regeneration and the East of England Development Agency has also invested in the area through the Market Towns Initiative and the Single Regeneration Budget, with the aim of boosting job creation and economic development.

"Trinity House has a 189-year association with Harwich and therefore we are also pleased to have preserved an important part of the local heritage."

Published Friday, January 24, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette