Crimdon Investment Project

Late last year we met up again with the county council's Heritage Coast Officer to discuss in more detail the long-term plans to rejuvenate Crimdon by improving facilities and access to the beach. We talked about how we would like to build on its current success as a day-visit destination and try to revive Crimdon's tourism potential to return it, as far as possible, to the busy, bustling resort of the post-war period.

Crimdon pavilion

Of course perceptions and expectations have changed considerably since then. People see the world through different eyes and they have different priorities for holidays, travel and leisure time. However that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to revive Crimdon's potential, generate some pride in our coastal communities and once again attract visitors to what was, and should be, Durham's premier coastal resort. Under the current economic climate that may be a long way off but we need to start somewhere and that's where the Crimdon Investment Project comes in.

We have reproduced below the brief for the project as we discussed it with officers in November. We will be seeking a progress report soon and we'll post an update in due course:

Crimdon Investment Project Brief

Context

Following the recovery of the Durham Coast, Crimdon beach and dunes have become a popular day visit destination, with an over 440,000 site visitors per year (2016) and the England Coast Path traversing the site. There are no services or facilities for visitors, with the nearest public toilets five miles away and limited on site information.

The site is also home to a breeding colony of little tern, an endangered bird that returns to Crimdon annually from West Africa to breed. The site has multiple nature conservation designations; Special Protection Area, Ramsar, Special Area of Conservation, Site of Special Scientific Interest, National Nature Reserve, the shore is included in the Teesmouth and Cleveland European Marine Site. Crimdon Dene is a Local Nature Reserve.

Project

This project will:

1.    The development of an integrated site management plan to improve the experience of visitors, neighbour relations and reduce operational and reputation risk and revenue costs to DCC.

2.    Develop a business plan for the funding, construction and operation of a purpose built facility that will provide an information point; (if possible a volunteer and safety and security hub (CoastWatch)); public toilets; art and heritage display and site interpretation in the form of a café. This will require a fully costed building design and fit out to RIBA Stage 4

3.    Stakeholder and partner consultation using creative techniques. The site neighbours include a caravan site and a pony trekking centre. We are keen that their views and those of users are included in the development of the site, particularly around vehicle and pedestrian routing and management.

4.    The construction of a boardwalk across the dunes as a clear access route, alongside the closure of desire lines through the dunes to conserve and protect SAC habitat, focussing visitors and improving the natural asset by reducing trampling damage.

5.    Provision of education and public engagement for EU Life funded little tern recovery project

6.    Funding and operating Business Plan developed and adopted.

7.    Funding opportunities and options appraised and bids submitted as timeframes allow.

If time and opportunity allow the feasibility of developing the whole site as an outdoor, events location will be assessed.

Timeline:

This initial phase of the project is time limited until 31^st October 2017.

Budget:

Total budget will be £116,000 including staff, access and habitat works.