First Minister announces new highway funding to kick start 5000 job Northern Gateway project

First Minister Carwyn Jones AM is at Deeside Enterprise Zone to announce funding for the  construction of a new highway across the Northern Gateway site.

This morning I’m in #Deeside Enterprise Zone to announce funding & construction of a new highway across the Northern Gateway site 1/3

— Carwyn Jones (@fmwales) February 5, 2015

The road is pivotal to kick-start the development and will effectively open up the site and unlock its potential, releasing 220 acres of prime employment land with the capacity to build 3.1million sq ft of  employment facilities to accommodate up to 5000 jobs.

This is a hugely important project for North Wales with potential to create 5,000 jobs 2/3

— Carwyn Jones (@fmwales) February 5, 2015

First Minister Carwyn Jones AM said:

“The Northern Gateway is the primary location to attract major new investments to the Enterprise Zone and to the region. Outline planning permission has already been granted for the site but the main barrier has been investment in infrastructure so I am pleased to announce the Welsh Government is now taking this forward.

This is a key piece of infrastructure for the Enterprise Zone which will accelerate development. We want to ensure the potential for the site is unlocked as soon as possible, opening up the largest private sector led development in north Wales.

This is a hugely important project for north Wales with substantial potential to attract new investment and jobs. The access road is the catalyst that will open up the many investment opportunities it represents. We will be appointing consultants to design the road shortly with the aim of submitting planning within the next six months and commencing work on the first phase of the roadway within six months thereafter.”

The announcement follows a legal agreement with Praxis, one of the main landowners, enabling the Welsh Government to draw down the land required for the new road and to deliver a further phase through the Pochin Goodman land, opening up the whole site.

The news has been welcomed by David Jones, Chair of Deeside Enterprise Board, who said:

“Bringing forward this site is a key priority for the Board and I am delighted the Welsh Government is taking the initiative to invest in the infrastructure that is critical to progress.

“The Northern Gateway is a key strategic employment site within the Enterprise Zone. It has the capacity  to accommodate individual projects of up to 1m sq ft which, combined with the enhanced capital allowance eligibility, makes it  a particularly attractive proposition for investment from the advanced manufacturing and technology sectors.”

Gabriel McLaughlin, Director and Head of Asset management at Praxis said,

“Since we acquired the Airfields site at the Northern Gateway, Praxis has made significant investments in the site and worked closely with our public sector partners to bring the scheme forward.  We are therefore delighted that Welsh Government is kick-starting the process with this welcome investment which will facilitate both commercial and residential aspects of the development.

“With this essential infrastructure secured, we are confident that the strong Interest we have had from commercial occupiers will translate into deals and that investment will start to flow into what is without doubt the most important strategic development site in North Wales.”

Bob Nicholson, of Pochin Goodman Northern Gateway Ltd stated:

“The Welsh Government’s commitment to the delivery of this key infrastructure is great news for Deeside, Flintshire and North Wales.

“These works, planned to take place over the next few years, will kick start the development of the site, acting as a catalyst for growth, attracting new businesses and cementing the site as a great place for existing customers to grow.  The development of the site will provide significant benefits in terms of housing provision, employment and community infrastructure to the region.”

It is anticipated that it will take 5 years to complete the construction of the entire highway.

image: www.theairfields.co.uk