Plans for a Flintshire Coast Park have been approved by Councillors today.

Flintshire County Council wants to agree a joined-up approach in developing the regions coastal opportunities, a strategy and prospectus for a Flintshire Coast Park has to be approved today – 20th Jan

The coast park plan features the creation of six hubs along Flintshire’s distinctive coastline.

The Wales Coast Path has led to an increased interest in accessing the Flintshire coastline, with various local groups and initiatives wanting to further develop areas and asking for Council support to access grant funding.

The Council has now developed a framework strategy for a Flintshire Coast Park, which will link Flintshire’s coastal developments.

The strategy also provides a reference point for those wishing to access funding opportunities.Gateway, Connah’s Quay Dock, Flint Waterfront, Bagillt Inlet and Bettisfield Hill, Greenfield, and Talacre – where people will be able to access and enjoy the Wales Coast Path and the cycle path.

The aim of the hubs is to increase tourism, recreational and cultural activity; improving gateways, and revitalising the docks.

A prospectus has been produced detailing the vision for the Flintshire Coast Park in 2034 , envisaging a high quality and accessible environment with a thriving tourism and recreation provision and a celebrated cultural heritage.

The Northern Gateway waterfront hub will sit within an area that will eventually see 1000 new homes and up to 5000 new jobs, its hoped a new foot/cycle bridge linking the Northern Gateway site to Deeside Leisure Centre and Queensferry will be built here improving access to job opportunities in Northern Gateway especially for those without a car.

HUB 1: N O R T H E R N GATEWAY WATERFRONT

The prospectus suggests there are a number of opportunities in the Connah’s Quay dock area, including those promoted by the Quay Waterman’s Association who have prepared a business plan to regenerate Connah’s Quay dock.

Their vision includes creating a heritage centre for community use and marine and sea cadet training; establishing a floating pontoon for boat trips to Chester and the north Wales coast and larger vessel maintenance. 

When the River Dee was diverted into its present channelized course in 1737, the River Dee Company (1741 -1902) engineered extensive land reclamation at the head of the river. 

In 1896 the former marshland became home to Shotton Steelworks with Connah’s Quay providing access to the river and a means of transporting goods by boat. Today the steelworks are owned by Tata Steel Ltd and manufacture cladding systems and niche engineering products. 

The physical detractors in the area can be addressed by a gradual improvement of the building form along Dock Road and changing of uses to be more focussed on maritime based businesses, together with cultural, heritage, leisure and recreation facilities.

There are also opportunities for significant landscape screening of the steel works on the north banks of the Dee which would greatly improve views and perceptions of the area.

Artists impression of Connah’s Quay Dock heritage centre

Councillor Bernie Attridge, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, said:

“We are extremely proud of Flintshire’s rich and diverse coastline. Establishing a framework for a Flintshire Coast Park ensures that we have a joined-up approach to looking after our coastal environment and that our coastline retains its excellent reputation as a destination for tourism and recreational activities.”