The Bay-wide Programme for Morecambe Bay and the Duddon Estuary area
Morecambe Bay Partnership is working with local authorities and others to explore the potential of a Morecambe Bay and Duddon Programme. Early studies have encouraged us to progress with this important initiative. The opportunities are presented in the prospectus, entitled “Headland to Headspace.”
So far studies suggest concentrating on
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Creating a unified list of complimentary regeneration
projects in the more disadvantaged coastal settlements,
and creating for them a single Bay-wide regeneration justification, this would give bids more strength on spatial grounds; -
Developing a single joined up tourism marketing strategy complementary to existing brands
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Improving the image of the area for investors
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Addressing a set of single spatial planning issues around
the bay, looking at economic, and social themes,
e.g. housing need, and development land; and -
Developing and connecting the existing the tourism and recreational assets and opportunities, to improve the
quality of the life and quality of the visitor experience.
Morecambe Bay Partnership is working with local authorities and others to develop these opportunities; sustain the existing outstanding environmental assets, and seek to improve the quality of the visitor experience as part of wider tourism initiatives and regeneration investment for the whole Bay area.
The Bay-wide programme would follow the model of a 'regional park. Although the word 'park' can be misleading, it is used both by the Regional Economic Strategy and Regional Spatial Strategy.
There is no fixed model, but it may be viewed as a programme of projects that have coherence and contribute to regeneration, environment, access, connectivity, recreation, and tourism.
Three short pieces of scoping work have been completed in 2008 looking at the Bay-wide programme for the Morecambe Bay and Duddon area.
In October 2008, a seminar in the Midland Hotel in Morecambe brought together the local authorities and other agencies to consider a Regional Park for the area.
Kate Willard who chaired the event summed up, "There is considerable enthusiasm. The Morecambe Bay Partnership now has a resounding mandate to proceed and I am genuinely excited about what is going to be achieved."
Susannah Bleakley of the Partnership said, "Thanks to everyone who has supported the work so far. It's going to be jolly exciting."
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