In response to industrial decline in the 1990’s a collaboration of public and private sector agencies came together to form the East Durham Task Force. Its objective was to arrest decline resulting from the closure of the coal mining industry in the area and to provide the building blocks for recovery. DCC sought to address this through a range of measures, which included the Award Winning “Turning The Tide” coastal regeneration project and the development of tourism and leisure along this coastline. Seaham North Dock project was a direct result of this collaboration. This project submission is for the completed second phase of a comprehensive scheme to regenerate the historic Seaham North Dock. The aim is to boost local enterprise, jobs and income, increase visitor numbers to the town and wider area and create a positive image both by residents and visitors. The second phase aims to bring the economic life back to the North Dock by creating the conditions to support a marina for leisure and fishing craft. In response to the ambitious regeneration plan prepared by Durham County Council (DCC) the project offers a range of small and flexible workspace units suitable for a range of uses linked to the maritime context of the dock. The project also provides a cafe, viewing terrace, public toilet facilities, improved slipway and launch facilities, provision of a lock gate (located to the original position of the abandoned lock gates) and berthing pontoons. The material palette is simple with an emphasis on low maintenance and sustainability to ensure practical maintenance of the structure. The regeneration objective is to create an environment in which the component parts of the scheme would, together, form a hub for leisure and recreation maximising usage of the Town’s greatest asset, the Sea; thereby putting the Sea back into Seaham. The workshops are of a high quality design with the intention of setting the design quality standard for the later development in Phase 3. North Dock is considered as one of the most historic assets for the town of Seaham and has been documented in the Historic Impact Assessment prepared for DCC by Caroline Hardie. (Oct/Nov 2005) –the study identified that the “regeneration scheme, based on Seaham’s historic North Dock, has the potential to breathe new life into this nationally important monument and into the wider community. To help ensure success the study concluded that any scheme must be driven by the conservation needs of North Dock so that the very qualities which make the dock nationally important are not destroyed by inappropriate development or poor quality design”. The town of Seaham has been identified as having a latent potential for tourism which in turn can assist in the improvement of the local economy. Public access or rather the lack of it was a particular barrier to this project. The existing port and North Dock harbour area have been in private ownership since the development of the original port in the 1820’s. Public access had been prevented until a number of local public pressure groups were formed, most notably the Friends of North Dock Seaham (FONDS), to campaign for access to the dock and piers. FONDS in tandem with DCC established a working group with the Victoria Group, the current owners of the port, which resulted in access being allowed and the development of a project plan and delivery programme being established. The works were divided into distinct phases. Phase I Public access - Restoration of the lime kilns and minimal 'public accommodation' and ‘sea defence’ works - completed in 2006. Phase IIa To bring economic life back to the North Dock with the introduction of small workspace unit, cafe, viewing platform, lock gates, pontoons, and improved slipway facilities - completed in 2012 and officially opened in 2013. Phase IIb Complete new public realm to provide safe access to the marina and the refurbishment of the old ‘historic’ lifeboat house which was completed in 2013. Phase III Creation of further heritage based tourist attractions and marine facilities. This work is subject to current negotiations with the Heritage Lottery Fund. Flood risk is a key issue in a marina environment and the building is set on a hard landscaped extended 'plinth' to suit the flood level. The plinth also allows for both ambulatory and disabled access to be “designed into” the proposal which also provides for informal seating areas. The North Dock is a listed structure and is designated a conservation area. Red Acre Point is a natural rock outcrop and is designated a SSSI. Planning and listed building consent was a major consideration however the client team worked closely with the conservation officer and in-line with the conservation management plan. Contaminated land and whether to dredge the dock was a key consideration in the project. It required part removal of silt from the dock basin to allow for the construction of the new dock gates and pontoon piles. The material was heavily contaminated from previous dock use. The dock area was used as a holding area to allow material to be safely stored and de-watered prior to being removed from site. The completed marina, which opened in May, 2013 is approaching 50% occupancy and strong interest and take up of the workspace is being achieved. The project has acted as a catalyst for future development with the third phase likely to commence in 2015/16. This phase aims to fully develop the economic and cultural potential of the North Dock and North Pier by creating a heritage-based local attraction whilst also further developing the marine activities. Since opening the marina has gone from strength to strength which has prompted further investment in additional car parking, enhanced street lighting, the introduction of site wide CCTV and the provision of a much needed boat storage and repair yard to provide enhanced amenities for boat owners. The marina is now establishing itself as a coastal water sports centre with interest being expressed from a variety of water sports institutions and national bodies.