Major Plans Launched To Upgrade East Midlands Infrastructure
A new manifesto has been unveiled by the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce that aims to make key improvements to the road network, railway lines, and also simplify the planning system to attract more growth and investment to the region. Insider Media reports that taxation will be reformed and steps will be taken to bolster skills in the area.
The manifesto also sets out a vision to develop the East Midlands as a major centre for energy production, storage, and distribution in the UK.
The East Midlands is an official region of the country that comprises the cities of Derby, Leicester, Lincoln and Nottingham, and several towns including Chesterfield, Boston, Kettering, Loughborough, Northampton, and Wellingborough. It also includes areas of the Derbyshire Peak District, Charnwood Forest and the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Around a quarter of the UK’s cement (a key ingredient of concrete) is manufactured in the East Midlands. The area is rich in aggregate sources such as volcanic rock, sand, and limestone, with the majority of aggregate being produced in Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire.
To the south of the region, forestry is an important industry, supported by the creation of The National Forest. This consists of about 200 square miles of a mixture of ancient woodland and new plantings, with the aim to boost biodiversity, promote tourism, and increase domestic timber supplies.
Speaking ahead of the Westminster launch, East Midlands Chamber chief executive, Scott Knowles, said: “This document is the culmination of in depth engagement with our members. It builds upon our core themes of innovation, infrastructure, international trade and investment […]”
“[…] making specific recommendations in four areas: Skills reform for the reality of today’s workforce; transport and infrastructure that is fit for purpose; developing a taxation and regulation regime that is aligned with a long-term vision for the country; and how we fix the broken planning system.”
The East Midlands has a rich industrial heritage, with many surviving textile mills. The region still produces hosiery and knitwear, although the traditional industries are declining. The Nottinghamshire coalfields were once the site of several large collieries, although the last operational mine, Thoresby, closed in 2015.
The Corby steelworks was operational from around 1940 to 1980, and produced over 2.5 million tonnes of steel. The area was also a centre for automotive, locomotive and aeronautical manufacturing, and Rolls Royce still remains a large presence in Derby. Today, the East Midlands has a thriving logistics sector, as it is well-served by transport links.
Knowles continued: “We’re also really excited to be presenting our ‘big opportunity’, to create a centre for the future of energy production, storage and provision in the East Midlands.”
“We’ve already had some exciting recent developments in this space, including the STEP fusion plant development in West Burton, the Freeport’s ambitions for the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station site and the work Rolls-Royce are doing on Small Modular Nuclear Reactors.”
“A vision of the future where the East Midlands is exporting the products, processes and people that can deliver Net Zero is absolutely possible, and it’s essential that we get the right policy support from government to unlock that opportunity.”
Elsewhere, in Birmingham in the West Midlands, a landmark 47-storey tower block that will provide over 500 homes is set to be approved. The city centre site on Broad Street is currently occupied by a three-storey office building that was constructed in the 1980s. The planning committee is due to meet ahead of a positive recommendation.
A report drawn up for Birmingham City Council’s planning committee said: “The proposed design and layout of the development would provide for a mix of accommodation in a high-quality, secure environment that would complement surrounding developments in a key city centre location.”
It continued: “The proposed residential units would make a meaningful contribution towards Birmingham’s housing shortfall and contribute towards the regeneration aspirations for this part of the city centre.”
“It would create a distinctive place and deliver 4 per cent (at 30 per cent discount) affordable housing, in accordance with local and national policies. The scheme would also provide economic, social and environmental benefits and, therefore, approval is recommended.”
The high-spec homes will be complemented with amenities including a gym, wellbeing space, residents lounge, event space, nursery, shared work space, cinema room, games room, arcade room, cycle storage, and staff welfare facilities.
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