Hillhouse Enterprise Zone consultation kicks off
Wyre Council and principal landowner NPL Estates have invited businesses and residents to have their say on the future direction of the strategic employment area.
Located in Thornton, Hillhouse Enterprise Zone was designated as a government-approved enterprise zone, conferring benefits such as tax breaks, in 2016.
A former ICI site of impressive scale – around 340 acres in total – it is a critical tool in the economic growth, investment, innovation and employment aspirations of Wyre. Around 2,800 jobs are accounted for by the overall site at present, with key employers including Victrex.
The current masterplan was developed in 2018, in a process with partners led by Mott MacDonald, and subsequently adopted by Wyre Council.
However, changes to the site, business environment and wider economic landscape have highlighted the need for a review of the masterplan, Wyre’s team believes.
Working in conjunction with NPL Group as the principal landowner, Wyre Council has developed a draft review of the masterplan which sets out a refreshed vision for the zone, identifying future priorities and development opportunities.
WSP has led the professional team, which also includes BE Group, Walker Sime, and LDA Design.
One of these changes has been housing growth in the area, with some development completed within the EZ area, and further consents granted.
Other changes, as recorded in the consultation documents, are the loss of Vinnolit as an occupier, the opening of a link road easing access for lorries. Although various planning applications have been submitted since 2018, the report admits that “significant” development proposals have been lacking.
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The appeal of the site for industrial occupiers has been looked at: Wyre as a whole has a lack of quality industrial stock, and doesn’t have a history of major deals to prove demand is constant. For the site specifically, it appears fragmented to outsiders, the report said.
However, requirements are out there, it is claimed. The report said: “Approaches from major organisations through inward investment agencies and NPL provide both anecdotal and demonstrable evidence of demand from large single-footprint occupiers.
“These enquiries recognise Hillhouse’s unique offering for large-scale, secure chemical, energy and defence-related industries. At present, however, there is no readily developable location within the site capable of accommodating such requirements.”
Two currently hot areas, hydrogen and data centres, are also looked at. There is a risk though of cutting the site off to other uses, as outlined in the report:
“Hydrogen-related industries are a key aspiration for NPL and the EZ. However, the potential benefits of attracting such uses will need to be carefully assessed against other opportunities, including data centres and alternative employment-generating sectors.
“While hydrogen-related development could support the site’s strategic positioning within the energy and chemicals sector, this should not preclude the accommodation of smaller businesses that can also contribute to the EZ’s growth.”
An employment land review by BE Group showed that the demand from local businesses is for units of up to 10,000 sq ft, ready to occupy.
One of the main hurdles to investment currently is road access into the heart of the site, and three options are presented for a new main route, with one set out as the preferred route.
Cllr Peter Le Marinel, portfolio holder for planning policy and economic development for Wyre Council, said: “Hillhouse Enterprise Zone is a key site for business growth, investment and job creation in Wyre. We want to hear from as many people as possible to ensure the future direction of the Enterprise Zone reflects the needs and aspirations of our communities, businesses and stakeholders.
“I would encourage anyone with an interest in the area to take a look at the draft masterplan review and share their views.”
Feedback gathered through the consultation will help inform the re-direction of the masterplan, with consultation open until Friday 6 November.
