Westermost Rough offshore wind farm has pledged to work with local groups and commit £80,000 to deliver a brand new promenade feature for Withernsea in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Westermost Rough is teaming up with the Withernsea and South East Holderness Regeneration Partnership and Withernsea Big Local Partnership to install a pavement fountain with amphitheatre style seating on the Central Promenade.
The attractive new feature will provide a focal point for visitors and residents, and is the first project to be delivered as part of Withernsea's Seafront Improvement Plan, which aims to enhance the town's seafront for the whole of the local community.
Duncan Clark, Programme Director for Westermost Rough at DONG Energy, said:
"We have worked with East Riding of Yorkshire Council to identify an important initiative that Westermost Rough can contribute to. We want to thank the local community for their support during the construction process of the offshore wind farm and make a meaningful contribution to the development of the local area.
"The Withernsea Promenade pavement fountain and seating project is the ideal choice and we are delighted to play a role in kick-starting the Withernsea Seafront Improvement Plan as it aims to increase the usage and attractiveness of the seafront. We are hopeful that this initiative will act as a catalyst for further regeneration on Withernsea seafront."
Councillor Jane Evison, cabinet portfolio holder for economic investment and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:
"The council is committed to investing in and developing Withernsea and South East Holderness for the benefit of residents and visitors to the area and aims to achieve this through the Withernsea Seafront Improvement Plan.
"The council is delighted by the news that DONG Energy will make £80,000 available to support this scheme, which will make a big difference to the regeneration of the town."
Councillor Arthur Hodgson, chairman of Withernsea & Southeast Holderness Regeneration Partnership, said:
"I welcome this funding for the development of the seafront at Withernsea and look forward to this key project in the regeneration partnership's Seafront Improvement Plan going forward. It will bring a really great focus to this area with the raised seating enabling visitors and residents to see the panoramic vista of the sea and the addition of the water fountains will bring both beauty and entertainment to all."
Peter Crawley, chairman of Withernsea Big Local Partnership, said:
"Withernsea Big Local Partnership has made this major investment thanks to local residents sharing their vision. Hearing how residents love the coastal environment and wanting more opportunities for the town, we believe this is a fantastic start to raising the towns profile and showing what can be achieved when a community works together.
"Next summer, people will be sitting on the raised seating, enjoying the sea view or watching a community event made special with a pavement fountain."
Westermost Rough, which is operated by DONG Energy, has committed £80,000 to the pavement fountain project, which is due to be built over the winter and early spring 2016, and will be open in time for the next year's summer season.
Westermost Rough was officially opened at a ceremony in Grimsby in July this year. The offshore wind farm is capable of generating 210 megawatts (MW) of electricity – delivering enough energy to the national grid every year to meet the annual electricity demands of well over 150,000 UK homes. It is the first offshore wind farm to make commercial use of 6MW wind turbines with 75 metre blades. Each of the 35 turbines in use is taller than the Humber Bridge.