A MAJOR investment plan has been unveiled for the derelict Noss Marina, to include the creation of new jobs, improved maritime facilities and some homes.

Premier Marinas Limited has completed the purchase of Noss Marina from the administrators Duff & Phelps.

The marina has been bought for an undisclosed sum following a period in administration.

Set in 37 acres on the eastern bank of the River Dart in Kingswear, the Noss Marina site accommodates 180 serviced pontoon berths, 47 river moorings and a limited boatyard operation.

Premier says it plans to work alongside local stakeholders to design and deliver a mixed use, employment-led, regeneration of the site, most of which is currently in a derelict and unusable state.

The development is expected to bring over £100m of investment into the area, creating a new identity for Noss as part of the Dartmouth and Kingswear community.

Enhancements to the marina infrastructure are likely to include a new and larger marina; new berth holder facilities; a new boatyard with increased lifting capacity and workshops for complimentary marine activities; and a new home for South Devon College.

Access to the site via the bridge that crosses the Paignton to Kingwear railway will also be improved. The investment in the site will be supported by sensitive residential development.

Premier Marinas owns and operates eight marinas on the south coast and prides itself on having a track record in regenerating tired sites while preserving their marine character and the natural environment that surrounds them. Recent projects have included the multi-million pound build of new boatyards and marine retail units at Premier’s Swanwick marina on the Hamble and at the company’s marina in Chichester Harbour.

Pete Bradshaw, chief executive of Premier Marinas, said: ‘We are delighted with the purchase of Noss Marina and are looking forward to working on the regeneration of the site.

‘We take a long-term approach to the ownership of our marinas and have the experience and investment capacity to transform Noss Marina.

‘Noss is located in one of the UK’s most beautiful areas and the coastline and cruising grounds accessible from the marina are breathtakingly pretty. We will create a marina to be proud of. We will preserve the character of the site and we will play a proactive part in bringing employment and economic growth to the area.’

Sarah Bell, of the joint administrators, said they were delighted to announce the sale of the business and assets of Noss Marina to Premier that will safeguard the jobs of all the staff, having traded the business over the last 18 months or so.

‘We wish Premier all the very best for the future and expect there will be exciting times ahead with the plans that are being proposed,’ she said.

Established in 1994, Premier Marinas owns and operates marinas based in Eastbourne, Brighton, Chichester, Southsea, Port Solent, Gosport, Swanwick and Falmouth.

With over 5,000 berths combined, Premier Marina aims to be the finest marina operator in the UK, providing first-class boat storage services and quality boatyard facilities at all its marinas.

Premier Marinas Limited is owned by the Wellcome Trust, a global charitable foundation