Plans for Whitehaven Harbour are in their final stages of preparation, with the team almost ready to submit their plans to the council for permission to start creating their masterpiece.

The North Shore scheme, run by BEC, will see Whitehaven’s harbour transformed, with a four-star hotel, a modern office building, food and drink offerings, a buzzing innovation centre and much more being added to the town’s marina after two years’ planning.

The ambitious plans were showcased at a public event on August 23, with the community welcome to drop in and share their thoughts on the proposed developments.

And architect Robin Stewart was thrilled with the public’s feedback, saying everyone was impressed and pleased with the ideas to get Whitehaven higher on tourists’ radars.

“Everyone’s been so supportive, and we haven’t had a single negative comment – people know the town needs a boost,” he said.

“I think this is an absolutely fantastic opportunity to get a gateway centre back to the town. The more tourism and support we get coming into the town, the bigger the boost for everyone.”

BEC’s head of property and development, Rob Miller, also has high hopes for the town, and said: “Whatever we do to the town has to be catalytic and a game-changer. We really want to support small businesses, and give them a place to grow and develop.”

Commenting on the large scale of the plans, Rob added: “You don’t get anything done without being ambitious!”

BEC are working with Copeland Borough Council and Sellafield to carry out the North Shore scheme, and are hopeful to begin building work once plans are submitted and accepted.