For immediate release

PR 240

29 August 2006

Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s £4.42 million SHARP initiative has been placed in the experienced hands of Project Manager William Wong.

William joins SHARP, which plans to lift the quality of life and business prosperity in the Wellesley Road area, from the London Borough of Hackney.

A Chartered Town Planner, William has served local government for more than 27 years gaining extensive experience in property development, environmental improvements, and regeneration partnerships.

SHARP, which began in April, will see residential and empty properties transformed into quality accommodation by helping owners, through grants, to invest in the buildings.

Plans also include upgrading the appearance of the buildings and the street scene to enhance the local architectural heritage and maintain the area’s status as a conservation area.

“But it is much more than that,” said William. “It is about putting heart back into the community by joining forces with the residents and service providers to explore better ways to provide better local services.

“These will include training, employment and business support.

“Surveying of the properties is well under way and we recently appointed two local building contractors – MS Oakes and T Gill & Son – who will be our partners to deliver the repair and improvement work.

“We are also exploring opportunities to set up a construction training and employment scheme for local residents.

“A show house is scheduled for later this year, to demonstrate the potential of the properties in the area.”

SHARP covers Wellesley, Paget, Sandown and Euston Roads, are in the secondary holiday area of the town, not far from the seafront. The initiative has had the full support and co-operation of the town’s tourism industry which welcomes the project as a way to lift the appearance of the area and make it more attractive to visitors who use their hotels.

For further information call SHARP Project Manager William Wong on 01493 844282.

Issued by:
Liz Dann
Press Officer
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
01493 846513