Bold New Vision Fishermen’s Yard
Sidmouth Town Council is making plans to rejuvenate the Fishermen’s Yard at The Ham and safeguard its unique place in our town’s heritage. The project will build on the recent redevelopment at Port Royal, which has made this part of the seafront a welcoming and lively place to meet and enjoy Sidmouth’s exceptional coastal views.
The Fishermen’s Yard’s mid-century timber buildings need ongoing maintenance to preserve them for the long term. Sidmouth Town Council believes action is needed now to protect the area and secure the Yard’s sustainable future. This brings with it the opportunity to enhance this part of the Conservation Area, with a plan that will respect its character and heritage and make it work better for residents, businesses and visitors.
The Fishermen’s Yard is the home of Sidmouth Trawlers and plans aim to include this valued local business and make space for others. New units could bring opportunities to support small and medium enterprises and startups. The Town Council also envisages a space that will provide a flexible and accessible meeting area for Sidmouth’s many volunteer groups and local charities.
Proposals include providing additional public toilets, a need highlighted as a priority in community conversations. Alongside the Fishermen’s Yard, a landscaped seating area could make The Ham more welcoming and accessible for everyone, encouraging more people to visit and spend time there.
Details of the project are still being considered by the Town Council, which will be continuing to engage users of the Yard and wider community to develop the project further. The Town Council will hold two drop-in sessions in the near future so that members of the public can share feedback and ideas.
Chair of the Town Council, Cllr Hilary Nelson said, “Improving Port Royal has been a community ambition for many years, and local people championed it through our Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan. Rejuvenating the Fishermen’s Yard is the final piece of the jigsaw. This is a once in a generation chance to secure the future of a historic part of Sidmouth, so we need to get this right. Continuing to work closely with local people as our plans develop is a vital part of that. There are still details work to through, and we may not be able to do everything that’s suggested, but we’re committed to securing a lasting future for the Fishermen’s Yard.”