Deal sealed over harbour project

Eastport's outer harbour would cost £40m

An agreement has been reached on a £40m scheme to develop the outer harbour at Great Yarmouth in Norfolk.

Construction will start on the Eastport project after a deal was agreed between Great Yarmouth Port Authority and International Port Holdings.

The scheme is regarded as a focus for the town's regeneration, creating 1,000 jobs and bringing in extra visitors.

Great Yarmouth Port Company will develop the outer harbour and take over the operation of the port.

Richard Ellis of The East of England Development Agency, which invested £8.75m into Eastport, said: "This is an historic moment, not only for Great Yarmouth, but also for the whole of Norfolk."

Seven-year wait

Barry Coleman, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said the news of the development was the "best possible" news for people who lived, worked or ran businesses in the town.

"To say that I am thrilled is an under-statement," he said.

"It has been a long time coming, and I am so pleased for those who kept the faith over many years."

The outer harbour project was first proposed in 2000.

The government gave it the go-ahead two-and-a-half years ago and it cleared planning approval six months later.

Since then, complex legal work has taken place with the commercial partner International Port Holdings to complete the deal.