Work on an £8m redevelopment of Trinity House at Harwich has begun.
As well as providing a new depot and buoy yard for the lighthouse authority, the scheme could also change the face of the town's quayfront.
Harwich MP Ivan Henderson initiated construction of the new Trinity House headquarters and buoy yard at a sod-turning ceremony yesterday.
The £8m development, supported by a £2.5m grant from the East of England Development Agency, will see the majority of Trinity House Lighthouse Service operations centralised at Harwich following a major reorganisation.
Once the work is complete, two existing quayfront buildings will be empty. It is not yet known what will happen to them, but one option could be luxury flats or shops.
Mr Henderson said: "As a Harwich-born man, aware of the centuries-long link between the town and Trinity House, it is a great honour to be performing the ceremony that marks the opening of another chapter in Trinity House's long and proud association with Harwich."
Published Wednesday April 7, 2004
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