East Midlands continues to drive growth

The UK’s first Manufacturing Zones have been announced for the East Midlands. Four projects, involved in the space industry, food sector, and the development of HS2, will form the new and innovative East Midlands Manufacturing Zones.

Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP announced the zones yesterday, with Melton Mowbray, Space Park Leicester, and areas across North Derbyshire and Greater Lincolnshire due to benefit from a total of £500,000 funding to develop their plans.

The investment builds on existing strengths in space, food and advanced manufacturing across the region, helping these important sectors to flourish and boost economic growth and jobs in the Midlands Engine.

The East Midlands Manufacturing Zones aim to reduce planning restrictions to allow land to be used more productively and provide certainty for business investment.

The announcement comes as the Secretary of State, who is also the government’s Midlands Engine Champion, visits organisations across the East Midlands today to hear how they are contributing to a thriving region at the heart of the UK’s economic success.

Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire said: “Manufacturing, innovation and trade are at the heart of the East Midlands economy, so it is the perfect place for the UK’s first Manufacturing Zones.

“This is another example of how the government’s is delivering for the Midlands with our modern Industrial Strategy backing local businesses and building on local strengths.”

The new East Midlands Manufacturing Zones comprise:

Melton Mowbray – The Leicester and Leicestershire Local Enterprise partnership will create a Manufacturing Zone (MAZ) in and around Melton Mowbray, with four locations identified as suitable locations for a distinctive food and drink focused manufacturing zone. The MAZ would help to sustain and grow food and drink manufacturing by providing an attractive portfolio of land combined and support for demand analysis and feasibility work such as master planning.

University of Leicester, Low Cost Access to Space – The funding will support the design of the Low-Cost Access to Space facility, part of the planned Space Park Leicester, to ensure it is attractive and accessible to space focussed manufacturers in the area and meets their business needs. Manufacturing Zone status will build on The Space Park Leicester’s Enterprise Zone and Space-based Science Park status.

Greater Lincolnshire Enterprise Partnership – The funding will accelerate the development of the food and advanced manufacturing industries across Lincolnshire and the South Humber Industrial Investment Programme area (Holbeach, Central Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire) with investment supporting projects to improve transport and utilities infrastructure.

The Northern Derbyshire Manufacturing Zone – The funding will support the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership to develop the Northern Derbyshire Manufacturing Zone which aims accelerate development on six sites across three local authorities in northern Derbyshire (Bolsover, North East Derbyshire and Chesterfield). They all have a recognised manufacturing heritage and presence to enable the area to benefit from potential investment associated with the development and maintenance of HS2. The North Derbyshire Manufacturing Zone aims to provide greater certainty on planning issues to unlock investment for growth by manufacturing businesses in the zone, ensuring more productive land-use and boosting investment and productivity in the area.

If you are interested in finding out more about key infrastructure trends today, particularly in the Midlands, you may wish to attend the flagship infrastructure exhibition at the NEC in April 2019 : UKIS 2019

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