DEADLOCK may have been broken over getting the first homes built beside the Nene in Wisbech as part of a £50million regeneration scheme that was drawn up eight years ago.

Clive Gibbon economic development manager for Fenland Council, will tell the overview and scrutiny committee next Monday that a start may be imminent on at least some of the new homes.

“The council has continued to engage with Circle Anglia (parent company of Roddons Housing Association) to develop detailed delivery options,” he said.

The plan involves a mix of housing on the former gas works site along the Nene waterfront –bought from businessman Malcolm Starr in a £400,000 compulsory purchase deal.

The council later spent upwards of £1million on remediation works on the seven acre site but early prospects of development were stalled by the recession.

Now Mr Gibbon is more optimistic and will tell councillors “discussions have advanced to the offer stage, with a private development partner anticipating the delivery of the entire 70 dwelling scheme.”

Mr Gibbon said the council had been “actively developing” strategies for the Nene and had worked with the county council “to consider alternative delivery models to provide affordable housing on the site.”

It’s not all doom and gloom beside the river though says Mr Gibbon who will point out the growing marine services, expansion of the yacht harbour, and expanding demand for the Boathouse conference centre,.

The port is expecting 240 vessels this year, the yacht harbour supports 84 vessels, and work is expected to begin later this year on combined leisure and commercial moorings at Sutton Bridge in partnership with Lincs County Council.

Wisbech is also attracting wind farm craft and business linked to the Lincs Wind Farm, says Mr Gibbon.