Hutton to launch West Cumbria masterplan

The public sector's £2bn regeneration plan to transform West Cumbria into 'Britain's energy coast' will be officially unveiled by the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform next week.

John Hutton will deliver details of a masterplan that is aimed at creating a total of 16,000 jobs and boosting Cumbria's economy by £800m a year.

Targets set in the energy strategy include:

• Attract a new generation of nuclear power reactors to the Sellafield site
• Develop the proposed National Nuclear Laboratory and Energus, formerly called the Nuclear Academy
• Build a new £100m acute hospital with expertise in toxicology, radiation and epidemiology
• Create new employment sites
• Improve public realm in West Cumbrian towns
• Invest £80m in Housing Market Renewal

Hutton said: "The masterplan will bring together the skills and ambition of West Cumbria, and deliver a significant boost to investment and jobs."

• The launch is set to take place from on 23 July at Sellafield Visitors Centre.