Partner Article

North Tyneside searches for Enterprise Zone Partner

North Tyneside Council have placed a notice in the EU Journal in a bid to attract a development partner to maximise the potential of a Low Carbon Enterprise Zone in the area.

The site, which is located at the former Swan Hunter shipyard site, is located to service the offshore industry including the renewable energy market.

Elected Mayor, Mrs Linda Arkley said: “This is an exciting opportunity for a developer partner or consortium to be involved in shaping the future of this well known former shipyard creating thousands of jobs for local people.”

“As a council we are committed to making sure that we achieve maximum benefits for the borough and the wider North East from the Low Carbon Enterprise Zone.

The site is holding an open day next month, and interested parties are being invited to share their expertise and shape the role of developer for the £30 million to £50 million package.

Developer partners would be involved in the refurbishment or construction of premises for rent, management of the site, and/or the management of the site’s communal facilities.

Linda continued: “To make that happen we need to ensure we have the infrastructure available for potential investors and that the site is well managed.

“This proposal will help us explore the opportunities with interested partners and to clarify which option would work best for the borough and the wider Low Carbon Enterprise Zone.”

The Council now hopes to find their preferred partner by October 2012, and discussions have already taken place to identify the needs of those businesses hoping to locate to the site. his will include expansion provisions over the next decade, which has resulted in the development of a master plan for the site.

Developing a second phase of the Learning Village is a high priority for the Council and businesses looking to locate to the area.

The Council will retain the freehold land ownership of the site, and have already applied for infrastructure funding to improve utility provision, access and the quay edge and dredging facilities. They also plan to work with the North East Local Enterprise Partnership to ensure that an optimum partnership is found.

The Enterprise Zone will offer a number of benefits to residents including 5 years business rates for businesses, and a simplified planning scheme through a Local Development Order, which would allow development within set parameters to be constructed without planning permission.

The area has also been recognised at one of five Centres for Offshore Renewable Engineering partnerships between Central and Local Government and Local Economic Partnerships, which ensure that businesses looking to invest in manufacturing for the offshore renewables industry receive comprehensive support.

Local partners will work to unlock investment for the site, and are committed to ensuring that the Government prioritises support for the initiative.

Mrs Arkley added: “ Our integrated investment strategy will reinvigorate the riverside employment sites and create new private sector job opportunities in high value emerging markets, such as the offshore and renewables sector.

“We have an existing workforce with many relevant and transferable skills, and in the Learning Village an opportunity for targeted training to meet any identified skills gaps and future skills demand.

“The private sector has already demonstrated significant commitment to working in partnership to help these existing and emerging markets to flourish. This is about putting the infrastructure in place to drive our ambitions forward.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .