Location of £100m technology park revealed
The development of a new £100m innovation and technology park in Ashfield has moved a step closer after Ashfield District Council confirmed a preferred location for the project.
The site on Lowmoor Road, Sutton in Ashfield, opposite Sutton Parkway is the proposed site for the development which will include the Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre (ADMC).
Ashfield District Council has agreed in principle to buy the land from Nottinghamshire County Council.
Funding has been secured from Ashfield District Council’s Towns Fund Deal, as a part of the investment to create nationally and internationally recognised centres, mirroring UK’s existing Catapult Centres.
The £30m ADMC will be a 43,000 sq ft multi-function centre, with space allocated for research and development, new product development and testing, education and skills development, technology showcasing, networking, collaboration and event hosting.
It will be home to technical experts, engineers and researchers who will be able to assist businesses of any size from across the East Midlands to understand and adopt automation technologies and to train their staff up into these higher skilled jobs.
Executive Lead Member for Growth, Regeneration and Local Planning at Ashfield District Council, councillor Matthew Relf said: “The development of the innovation and technology park and Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre will play a key role in bringing economic growth and new investment opportunities that will benefit businesses and residents of Ashfield and create higher paid jobs and education and learning opportunities.
“These developments are part of our broad range of regeneration projects that we secured funding for that are changing the face of the local area. These projects are central to achieving the Council’s ambition of making Ashfield a great place to live, work, study, play and visit.”
Councillor Keith Girling, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management said: “I am delighted that we have been able to support the ADMC Board in this Towns Fund initiative, as part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda. This will help to bring high skill job opportunities into areas where such opportunities have not always been available.
“As the cabinet member for economic development I was in an ideal position to combine the economic benefit with the land we owned at Lowmoor Road, and I am delighted that we have been able to come to a fair conclusion which is a win, win for both councils. I look forward to continuing to support the ADMC Board so that we can maximise the full potential of the site.”
Construction of ADMC is due to start in 2024.
