4th December 2018

Posted By:
BEC

BEC agrees lease for old Mark House site for a short-term car park before new office block is developed

BEC, the property developers behind North Shore, has agreed terms with iParkSmart for the provision of a short term car park on the site of the old Mark House office in Whitehaven.

The plans will bring much needed affordable parking to the town before BEC’s new office block is developed, together with the long term multi story carpark that will support the North Shore scheme.

BEC CEO, Michael Pemberton, said “The site is earmarked for a low-carbon office development due to open by 2021. There are many stages of the development and as we don’t need to be digging on the site at the moment,  we are keen that the people of Whitehaven benefit from it now. That’s why iParkSmart will develop a temporary car park that will bring affordable spaces to the centre of Whitehaven.”

Work continues at North Shore at pace and this is the second major announcement about the North Shore scheme in recent weeks with planning permission granted for development at the old bus station granted at the end of October.

BEC will not be engaged in the running of the car park. This responsibility will lie solely with iParkSmart who will manage the 70+ space area, which includes accessible bays.

Bill Ideson, Managing Director of iParkSmart added: “We are thrilled to be expanding our operations in Whitehaven. This will be our second car park and it’s great that we can make temporary use of this land to provide a user-friendly facility to help ease the car parking pressure on the town. Space in the car park will be £5 a day with discounts for long term bookings and shorter tariff rates available, something we feel will really help local workers. We are also embracing digital technology, as alongside cash payment we will be offering online and phone payment for those in a hurry! This new car park will also create a new job within our organisation for the duration of the sites operational time.”

The car park is planned to be opened in the week commencing 10^th December 2018.

The North Shore scheme is being brought forward by BEC, with the help of partners including Copeland Borough Council and Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners. It proposes a 4* hotel, multi-story car park facility and circa 75,000 sq ft office development that will sit alongside the Buzz Station – an innovative place that will see office space alongside an artisan food and beverage offering in the old bus station. Road upgrades plans are also ongoing in partnership with Cumbria County Council. BEC also aims for Whitehaven’s harbour front to become a beacon for sustainable development as it strives to be zero-net-carbon (ZNC).