This is how Newport's new business park could look

Telford & Wrekin Council has issued an update on its plans for the business park in the town which could create 950 new jobs.

The council is now beginning the process of bringing forward the site with the aim of submitting a planning application in the autumn.

The council first announced a couple of months ago that it had secured £9 million to support the investment after securing government funding through the Midlands Engine.

It is continuing to work with Harper Adams University and the Agri Tech Industry Partnership to promote the site to potential investors.

The council is also considering investing directly into the site to deliver starter and incubation units suitable for a range of investors.

Indicative plans for the site have been prepared to illustrate the opportunities to a number of potential business investors both local and international, and with Newport Town Council and Newport Regeneration Partnership this week.

The council is working with UK inward investment managers in marketing the site.

It says the £9.3 million funding for the Newport Enterprise Package announced by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) will play a major role in the borough’s economic development and rapid growth, promoting Newport for inward investment and supporting the Enterprise Telford drive for growth and prosperity.

The investment in the Newport Enterprise employment site will provide space for a range of new firms including start-ups, smaller businesses and larger occupiers and could create up to 950 new full time jobs.

While the Midlands Engine funding will provide £6.3 million, an additional £3 million will come from the Telford Land Deal between Telford & Wrekin Council and the Homes & Communities Agency as well as developer contributions.

Council leader Shaun Davies said; “We are keen to move forward with the delivery of this employment site as soon as possible in order to deliver the much needed jobs.

“As part of this process, we are engaging with community groups to help shape the development that comes forward.”

“This is another significant investment by the council into Newport. Last year we took on the Audley Avenue Enterprise Park ensuring it remains for business use, keeping hundreds of jobs in Newport and this has been welcomed by the site’s tenants, who continue to thrive.”

Councillor Peter Scott, deputy mayor of Newport, said: “It was great to have officers present at last week’s Newport Town Council meeting, where members were able to give their comments on the emerging scheme for the site.“I am pleased that Telford & Wrekin Council are working with the town council to deliver further employment opportunities for Newport.”

This investment, supported by the LEP’s latest Growth Deal with Government, follows other major projects in Telford and Wrekin including the opening of the new MoD Logistics Hub at Donnington this spring and growth at areas such as the T54 site which has attracted the new multi-million pound Magna and Polytec investments that will create 400 new jobs in their first phase. The Magna site is now under construction and is due to open next year.