By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Ashfield District Council has confirmed a potential location for two major new industrial projects planned as part of a multi-million-pound investment.
The Ashfield Independent-led council is progressing with the two sites as part of its £62.6m Towns Fund plans secured from the Government in 2021.
They are an advanced distribution and manufacturing centre (ADMC) and the Ashfield Innovation and Technology Park (AITP).
Both projects promise significant investment into education and skills and to boost the regional economy.
Tens of millions of pounds have been pledged to both schemes and now a proposed location for the centres has been announced.
Cabinet members will meet on Monday (September 18) and will be asked to approve the terms of a land purchase in Lowmoor Road, Kirkby.
Papers do not confirm a specific location but say the land – which would host both centres – is opposite Sutton Parkway railway station.
An alternative location for the sites had been investigated to the southeast of Oakham Business Park, on the Mansfield border near Amazon.
However, papers say the Lowmoor Road site is preferred due to its “size, strategic location, transport links, proximity to Vision West Notts College and neighbouring industrial clusters”.
The site is owned by Nottinghamshire County Council, which has been in negotiations with the district council about its sale.
Terms have been agreed, though papers do not reveal the cost of this sale. This is instead published in a “commercially sensitive” exempt appendix.
However, papers do confirm the ADMC will act as the flagship project in the council’s Towns Fund deal.
About £20.5m will be used from the pot to deliver a £30m, “nationally and potentially internationally-recognised” innovation centre.
The 4,000-square-metre, purpose-built centre will focus on research and development, new product development and testing, education and skills development, technology showcasing and event hosting.
Construction on the ADMC is due to start in 2024.
It will sit as part of the AITP, which will become a “destination for high-tech industrial clusters in sectors such as aeronautics, robotics, biosciences, engineering and manufacturing”.
In a report, the authority says the wider site will become a “renowned destination for inward investment”.
It said: “[It will bring] economic prosperity and well-paid jobs to the area, and thus become a centre of excellence, both nationally and potentially internationally.
“The whole site will be a £100m-plus development, attracting inward investment and creating higher economic growth opportunities for residents of Ashfield.”
It added: “[They will bring] economic growth and new investment opportunities that will benefit businesses and residents of Ashfield, create higher-paid jobs and education and learning opportunities.
“The ADMC will be underpinned by research-based data of
demand and supply to maximise the effectiveness of the marketing strategy.
“Market research indicates there is a high level of commercial interest in the development.”
The ADMC has Towns Fund cash as well as backing from external sources while the AITP scheme will also involve about £13.2m in internal borrowing at the council.
The figures and the land purchase will be discussed by the council’s Ashfield Independent cabinet on Monday.
