Plans revealed for rundown Great Yarmouth chapel

ANTHONY CARROLL

19 March 2010

This artist's impression shows how Great Yarmouth's run down St George's Chapel and King Street area should be transformed into a thriving cultural centre in two year's time.

The image was released yesterday as £8m ambitions plans to breathe fresh life into the area took a major step forward as a planning application was submitted to Yarmouth Borough Council.

If planning permission is granted, the 300-year-old baroque style chapel will be turned into an arts and community centre capable of holding up to 400 people.

As part of the plans a pavilion with a care/bar and box office will also be built on a pedestrianised area of St George's Plain along with an outdoor performance area.

It is hoped that work can start in the autumn and be completed by spring 2012.

St George's Chapel was built in 1714 and designed by John Price to symbolise the wealth pouring into the town - but over the last few years the Grade I listed building has fallen in a state of disrepair.

Once the work is finished the chapel will be leased by the borough council to the St George's Art Trust whose chairman is Peter Wilson, the chief executive of Norwich's Theatre Royal.

Barry Coleman, the leader of the borough council, said: “I am really delighted that we have reached the latest stage of a widely shared desire to breathe new life into St George's Chapel and the surrounding area.

“I hope the people of Yarmouth are excited by the plans that we have come up with.”

As well as the chapel plans the £8m regeneration work will see widened pavements, new pedestrian crossings, cycle links and improved street lighting installed in the area. A new one system has already been introduced along King Street.

Mr Wilson said: “The plans are really exciting and will be a great addition to Yarmouth's already vibrant cultural scene.”

The £8m St George's Chapel cultural scheme has been funded by the government's Sea Change programme, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the East of England Development Agency, Norfolk County Council, Yarmouth Borough Council and English Heritage.

The chapel designs have been drawn up by Hopkins Architects which is working closely with English Heritage and theatre consultancy firm Charcoalblue.

The planning application can be viewed by visiting www.great-yarmouth.co.uk