UK: Rebirth of Former Swan Hunter Shipyard Secured

Rebirth of Former Swan Hunter Shipyard Secured

The rebirth of the former Swan Hunter shipyard has been secured as North Tyneside Council selects a partner to help deliver its multi-million pound regeneration.

The partner was confirmed by North Tyneside’s Cabinet last week, but is unable to be identified until the formal procurement process is completed over the next few weeks.

And once in place they will take the lead in developing the infrastructure on the site, now called Jupiter PaRC @ Swans, including providing ready-to move-into manufacturing accommodation for employers keen to set up business and provide jobs on the Wallsend riverside.

A masterplan is already in place, showing the site has the potential to accommodate up to 50,000 square metres of new manufacturing and office space.

And £13.6 million of capital funding has been secured to deliver the infrastructure improvements to complement the regeneration, including dredging of the quay berths, repair and strengthening of the quay walls, new electricity and water supplies, road and access improvements.

The next phase will see facilities for new small and micro businesses focused on innovation and research and development, with the creation of a Business Incubation and Research and Development Centre on the site. A separate second stage bid for ERDF funding has been submitted for this project.

North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor, Mrs Linda Arkley said:

 “This new partnership is the final piece of the jigsaw in delivering the regeneration of this vitally important site and the wider economy of the borough and the North East. The developer partner will provide the ready to move into buildings that businesses want, so they can take advantage of the benefits of this site being part of the North East Low Carbon Enterprise Zone and create jobs for people in this area. Together with the £13.6m of infrastructure improvements to roads and the quay, and the exciting initiative to bring a new crane to the site that will improve river access, we can say that Jupiter PaRC @ Swans is well and truly open for business.”

The regeneration of the Swan Hunter site was made one of the highest priorities for North Tyneside Council in order to stimulate growth and rebalance the local economy.

The River Tyne is already one of Europe’s leading locations for the sub-sea, oil and gas, offshore manufacturing and renewable energy sectors.

The Jupiter PaRC @ Swans site will build on that with a focus on the offshore wind programme – a key part of achieving government targets for renewable energy.

 “It is clear that our river-related industries continue to be important economic drivers and that many of the key components are already in place to develop a truly global centre of excellence in advanced manufacturing and engineering on the River Tyne. This will deliver benefits for the local, North East and national economy,” added Mrs Arkley.

The site is part of 60 hectares designated as an enterprise zone for advanced manufacturing and low carbon growth within the River Tyne North Bank – along with part of the Port of Tyne, and Neptune Yard in Newcastle.

The main benefits for employers is either five years business rate relief for industrial businesses, which is the Jupiter PaRC @ Swans incentive, or enhanced capital allowances against investment in plant and machinery. There is also a simplified planning process and superfast broadband.

North Tyneside Council has joined forces with UK Trade and Investment, the Homes and Communities Agency, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and other local authorities to market the site and its advantages for employers.

Paul Woolston, chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership welcomed the news.

He said: “Offshore energy is a key sector for future economic growth in the North East. It’s great news that a partner has been identified for Jupiter Parc @ Swans, which is an important location for the expansion of this sector.

“The North East LEP’s large Enterprise Zone sites, including Jupiter Parc@Swans, offer financial benefits to boost an already strong package from this area. We have great infrastructure for offshore wind manufacturing, access to a skilled workforce and a strong supply chain. The next chapter at Jupiter Parc@Swans is undoubtedly more optimistic as a result.”

Martin Wilks , Capital Development Manager at the Homes and Communities Agency said:

” This announcement is the culmination of years of work by the partners in this scheme and it is fantastic that the future of this site has been secured to keep engineering works on the River Tyne for the foreseeable future. The facilities on offer at Jupiter PaRC @ Swans along with the business rate relief will help create and protect local jobs.”

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Press Release, March 27, 2013