Annan harbour set to receive £10m for regeneration project

 Plans for a £10 million redevelopment of Annan harbour have been revealed during an exhibition in the town centre.

A public exhibition of proposals, resulting from studies commissioned by Annan Harbour Action Group, were on show to the public yesterday at The Anglers in the town.

Detailed studies envisage a that footbridge, cycle path, weir and lagoon for kayaking and water sports could feature on the Annan seafront, with the warehouse transformed into a heritage centre with café, bunkhouse and training area.

Alan Thompson for the Annan Harbour action group says the plans will transform the town.

He said: "We're going to develop the semi-derelict warehouse building on the quayside, a very prominent building, and we're going to take a piece of derelict, neglected and contaminated land and turn it into an amenity for the surrounding community.

"The area is recognised for its birdlife and the ecology, so we were really keen when we took over this abandoned land that we didn't want to develop it, we want to increase biodiversity."

The multi-million-pound redevelopment plans are also creating interest at Westminster.

Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell supports a bid for the project to receive a game-changing financial boost through the UK Government’s levelling up funds to take the project forward swiftly.

On a visit to Annan Harbour this week, he confirmed he planned to highlight the project directly with Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

David Mundell said: “The scale of this project and the fact that much of the detailed preparatory work has already been completed means the development could potentially move forward fairly quickly.

“It is an exciting blueprint which would not only turn Annan’s harbour area into a major amenity for local people but an attraction for visitors which would enhance the town’s economic prospects.

“Annan would still retain the ability to function as a working harbour to meet any future demand but would also offer so much more in terms of tourism, wildlife viewing, leisure and water sports.

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