Public and private sector partners from across the Sheffield City Region have come together in an innovative project to accelerate the development of the region’s Enterprise Zone (EZ) and boost investment and job creation.
Harworth Estates, Henry Boot Developments, Sheffield Business Park Ltd, Peel Holdings and Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO) – the regeneration arm of Rotherham Council, with the support of local authorities in Bolsover, Chesterfield and Sheffield, Derbyshire County Council and the local Chambers of Commerce are bidding into the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) to deliver key infrastructure works and unlock over £92 million of private sector investment.
Three components of the recently announced Sheffield City Region EZ; Phase 2 of the Sheffield Business Park, Waverley including the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, and Markham Vale to the north east of Chesterfield are included in the proposal.
At Waverley, the project would support construction of a new improved road junction and additional ground works to accelerate development of a 280 hectare (692 acre) former UK Coal site. The funding for Markham Vale would provide highway infrastructure to open up the next phase, 33 hectares of industrial land and upgrade the superfast broadband provision.
At Sheffield Business Park RGF will bring forward the creation of new development platforms, structural landscaping and site access and services to more than double the Park’s existing high quality business floor space.
In addition the project would support works to key junctions on the local strategic road network that improve access for heavy and oversized loads from the Sheffield and Rotherham EZ locations to the motorway network, thereby increasing the investment potential of the EZ for manufacturing companies.
Initial estimates indicate that over 5,000 jobs will be created with support from the project including both construction employment followed by modern manufacturing jobs and a range of support roles.
Duncan Armstrong-Payne, Harworth Estates’ Waverley Development Manager says
“This joint bid represents a significant move forward for the Sheffield Enterprise Zone sites and demonstrates private sector commitment and joint working to accelerate development in this difficult economic climate”
The project proposals were submitted to the Government on 13th June. The project will now be assessed by an Independent Advisory Panel, chaired by Lord Heseltine, over the summer.
