Residents and business owners are being invited to comment on plans for a big expansion of the seaside town of Skegness.
East Lindsey District Council is looking at plans to develop 336 acres of land west of the town, which would be called the Skegness Gateway development.
It would include industrial land as well as 1,000 new homes and a new college campus, and could potentially lead to hundreds of new jobs.
Residents, businesses and organisations are being invited to a drop-in session to look at the plans at the Vine Hotel in Skegness, from noon to 7pm on July 6.
Neil Sanderson, is part of family-owned Skegness landowner Croftmarsh, which is involved in the project.
He said: “Skegness Gateway will create huge opportunities for the town, offering high-quality education, opportunities for start-ups, commercial and industrial space as well as places to live, work and play.
“We believe this will really put Skegness on the map and create an exciting future for local people and those looking to move here.
“We want the local community to understand our vision and to be fully informed about what is happening as we work through the various stages.
“It is crucial to the success of the plans that residents, businesses and organisations have the chance to see what we are doing and to ask questions.
“We will be here at our special event to answer any questions that people may have or to simply share our passion over what we want to achieve.”
The Sanderson family, which is driving the development of the site, has lived and worked in the area for five generations, evolving from Sandersons of Croft Blacksmiths & Joiners in 1912 to Sanderson Forklifts in 1967, and today as Croftmarsh and Ramco.
Croftmarsh director Sue Bowser said: “Our plans recently received a positive response when they were presented to Skegness Town Council and the Connected Coast partnership.
“As a family, we have lived and worked in Skegness for generations and are incredibly passionate about delivering a scheme that we – and the rest of the town – can be proud of, and we believe that what we are proposing will do that.
“We are working hard alongside the team at East Lindsey District Council and will be delighted to spread the word about this vibrant scheme at our event in July.”
Coun Steve Kirk, portfolio holder for coastal economy at East Lindsey District Council said: “This consultation comes at an exciting time for investment on the Lincolnshire coast following the £23.9 million secured for the Mablethorpe area and £24.5 million for Skegness through the Towns Fund.
“This will see a new leisure centre for Mablethorpe and digital learning complex, with the town centre benefiting from further improvements.
“The Colonnade at Sutton on Sea will be redeveloped, while a new visitor hub at Sandilands will be created.
“In Skegness, a new high quality learning campus will be created, offering much needed educational provision in the town, while the Foreshore will also benefit from investment.
“The town centre and Skegness railway station will see improvements and one of the first culture houses is set to be created at the Embassy Theatre.
“The Skegness Gateway will change the look and feel of that part of Skegness and is sure to have a huge impact on the whole town.
“I would encourage everyone to take part in the event for the Skegness Gateway plans and share their views on this ambitious scheme.”
The landowners and developers will be on hand to answer questions at the public engagement event on 6 July at The Vine Hotel, Vine Road, Seacroft, Skegness PE25 3DB.
People are invited to drop in at any time, from 12pm to 7pm, and will be able register their details to keep up to date with further announcements. Refreshments will be available.
To find out more about Skegness Gateway, please visit the website at www.skegnessgateway.co.uk.
