CWAC wants Ellesmere Port to be green energy ‘super place’
Cheshire West and Chester Council has outlined a vision to bring more than £1.8bn worth of investment into the Ellesmere Port Industrial Area.
The Development and Infrastructure Investment Framework shares the council’s push to make EPIA one of the first net zero carbon industrial clusters in the world. Also on the agenda: making it “one of the UK’s ‘super places’ linking clean and green growth and low carbon technologies”, according to the council.
In order to meet these goals, the council listed eight strategic objectives for EPIA:
- Facilitating low carbon technologies
- Delivering green and clean growth
- Building on economic strengths in the area
- Improving connectivity and access
- Maximising job creation and economic growth
- Maximising job and training opportunities for locals
- Raising the profile of the area to support future investment
- Improving the quality of life for those in the community
The DIIF will be up for endorsement at CWAC’s cabinet meeting on 15 October. If approved, the council will set about creating a delivery action plan for the scheme. The Ellesmere Port Joint Member Working Group will help make this plan. At the same time, Bert Agency has been appointed to prepare a brand identity for EPIA to help raise its profile.
Cllr Richard Beacham, cabinet member for inclusive growth, economy and regeneration said: “The vision for the Ellesmere Port Industrial Area is ambitious and transformational, we want the area to be a national and international exemplar for the ‘Green Industrial Revolution’ and to drive forward the new low carbon economy of the future.
“The vision will have a direct impact on residents, connecting local people to jobs, skills and training opportunities in high value, innovative and growing employment sectors,” he continued. “Improved and sustainable travel across the area will also be a priority, including the new cycle route through Ellesmere Port and the work being completed on the A5117 shared use route.”
This push for sustainability is nothing new at EPIA, which is home to HyNet, an initiative to decarbonise and provide hydrogen power to the area. Fulcrum BioEnergy is also developing a £600m waste-to-fuel plant on the site.
