Multi-million pound plans for Newport business park submitted

Telford & Wrekin Council said the park, on the edge of Newport, will aim to attract companies at the cutting edge of developing ways to improve food production and help manage the environmental impact of farming.

The proposed £9 million development will be known as Ni-Park if the application is successful.

It will create up to 1,000 jobs when finished, with an additional 150 during the construction phrase.

Councillor Lee Carter, Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for Economic Development, said “There is pent up demand for business space in Newport and a significant lack of supply.

“If approved, Ni-Park will deliver new high quality space at a scale to meet the needs of businesses looking to base their operations in the region.

“Working in association with Harper Adams University, the park will be a world-leading agri-tech research and innovation hub, putting the UK at the forefront of high efficiency agriculture.

“Interest has already been strong with enquiries coming from overseas companies wishing to be part of an industrial movement that will help put the UK at the forefront of the global move to high-efficiency agriculture.

“Enabling employment land to be released will in turn unlock additional economic growth with the construction phase of the development estimated to deliver over 150 jobs alone.”

The application proposes the development of up to 38,720 sq m of floor space together with an internal road layout, the creation of two entrances on the south side of the A518, which will be upgraded, as well as parking spaces and landscaping works.

The initiative is part of a public-private partnership led by Telford & Wrekin Council and supported by agricultural university Harper Adams.

Subject to planning, the site will be split into three phases with full planning permission sought for Phase One which will accommodate 24 units for established small businesses seeking to expand.

Outline consent is sought for the rest of the site which will be released in response to demand.

Pre-application public consultation on draft proposals late last year indicated support for the development from a majority of respondents, who welcomed the investment and new job generationglobal markets.