ONE of the most iconic locations in Suffolk is to get a new lease of life next week.

Eight years of hard work – backed by a �300,000 investment – is being celebrated next week as responsibility for the ‘Hard’ at Pin Mill on the River Orwell is handed over to a “community interest” company.

It was in 2002 that Babergh council first brought together as many of the groups as possible (including the parish council, the National Trust, Associated British Ports, the houseboat owners and the Pin Mill Sailing Club) that had an interest in the river frontage at Pin Mill.

They wanted to develop a long-term plan that would clear disused vessels, introduce controls regarding the mooring of houseboats and deliver both improvements to the boat repair facilities and an agreed approach to their management.

A total of 80% of this work has been funded by the Haven Gateway Partnership (�185,100), with the remainder coming from Babergh and other organisations. Responsibility for the running of these facilities will be formally handed over to the new Pin Mill Bay Management Company next Thursday.

Babergh Councillor Bryn Hurren, who chaired the initial working group, said: “It is immensely satisfying to see the results of all our collective hard work and co-operation being realised in this way. While eight years ago, the shoreline at Pin Mill was a bit of a sorry sight and its future uncertain, the new community interest company inherits a modern facility and an approach to sorting out problems that addresses the expectations of all people who live, work and take their recreation at this iconic Suffolk site”.