2,000 jobs take a step closer in Hucknall

A major industrial development which could create up to 2,000 new jobs and bring a new generation of businesses to Hucknall has marked a milestone in the development process.

Harrier Park, which will be accessed through a new entrance off Hucknall by-pass, will open up 67 acres of industrial space.

Up to 900 new homes will also be developed on the site, which covers 150 acres in total, providing a significant boost for the local economy through new jobs and new residents likely to support local services.

A new primary school, care home, green space and other community facilities also form part of the development.

Harrier Park is a partnership between site owner Rolls-Royce, Nottinghamshire County Council, Ashfield District Council, and Muse Developments, which has a track record of delivering high-profile mixed use and regeneration projects across the UK.

The partners in the project have now marked the commencement of the next phase of road infrastructure on the site, which is expected to accelerate its development and kick-start interest from potential occupiers.

Councillor Alan Rhodes, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “There has never been a more important time to invest in the future of the economy and, as a council, we are committed helping support new opportunities for our communities – demonstrated by our funding for the new Harrier Park link road.

“Harrier Park is a site that has an illustrious history and it remains a key part of the global activities of Rolls-Royce. By helping to open up the site for development, we now hope to see more businesses coming to Hucknall to help grow the county economy and provide jobs for local people into the future.”

Harrier Park is the historic site of RAF Hucknall, which witnessed the development of a number of pioneering aviation projects during the 20th century.

It takes its name from the world-famous Harrier jump jet, a ground-breaking vertical take-off military aircraft whose early development took place at the site and involved the design of revolutionary engine technology by Rolls-Royce.

Originally a Royal Flying Corps base, Hucknall Aerodrome was later shared between the RAF and Rolls-Royce, which carried out development of the Merlin and Griffon engines which powered the legendary Spitfire fighter during the Second World War.

While engine development and test flights no longer take place at Hucknall, the site remains home to part of Rolls-Royce’s aerospace supply chain, a key part of its global aerospace and power technologies activities, which employs around 800 people.

The development is expected to give added momentum to a key part of the regional economy, with advanced engineering and aerospace identified by the Government’s Midlands Engine initiative as critical to the UK’s growth in the years ahead.

Councillor Cheryl Butler, leader of Ashfield District Council, welcomed the commitment to the new access road. She said: “It’s vital that we find ways of not just growing the Ashfield economy, but of supporting the businesses that are already here.

“The Harrier Park development will play an important role in that by attracting not only new businesses, but by providing new homes for new residents – people who are likely to spend locally and help sustain shops and facilities in towns like Hucknall.

“So in the years to come, Harrier Park has the potential to deliver a significant shot in the arm to the local economy.”

Residential development is already underway, but the completion of the new access road is expected to pave the way for discussions with businesses who may want to move into the site.

Dan Needham, development director of Muse Developments, thinks the presence of Rolls-Royce on the site and its proximity to the M1 motorway mean Harrier Park will be an attractive location for businesses.

He said: “We’re proud to be working alongside Rolls-Royce, Nottinghamshire County Council and Ashfield District Council to help deliver what we believe is a significant opportunity to grow and enhance the Nottinghamshire economy.

“This marks a new era for a site that has a great industrial history and remains to this day an important location for world-leading engineering. There is a shortage of well-connected business parks where there is room to grow, and we know from early conversations that a number of companies are interested in moving to Hucknall.”

The site is being marketed to businesses by Tim Gilbertson, director of the commercial property consultants FHP. He added: “Harrier Park is very much a flagship development – a site which can accommodate large-scale operations, complemented by housing, and only minutes from the UK’s major road networks.

“Long-term, I have no doubt that it will make a big contribution to growing the regional economy.”