Great Yarmouth energy park aims to create hundreds of jobs

Great Yarmouth Energy Park logo. (Image: Archant)

The ambitious bid will see a 50-acre area of South Denes, on the port peninsula, exclusively used by firms connected to the energy sector.

It is hoped that pooling skills and resources will help the town punch its weight, bringing in economic development opportunities.

The drive is led by Great Yarmouth Development Company (GYDC), a new joint venture between Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Norfolk County Council.

And the land in question is already subject to a Local Development Order (LDO), with relaxed planning rules making rapid growth easier.

A four-acre plot is to be bought by the borough council, and negotiations are underway to get small businesses not connected to the energy sector to relocate away from the area.

Compensation is set to be offered to these firms.

Plans were leaked in a borough council cabinet agenda a year ago, but GYDC chairman Bernard Williamson said this had not affected the level of compensation to be paid.

He also dismissed fears that the congested Acle Straight would stifle the project.

Access around Nelson's Monument would not be restricted, he furthered, amid fears restrictions akin to those around the outer harbour may

apply.

'The Great Yarmouth Energy Park is vital for the economy of the borough and wider region,' said Mr Williamson.

'It will help ensure there is sufficient land available to attract firms involved in the energy industry, including those which will be involved in servicing the new wind farm. There have also been very strong expressions of interest from the offshore gas industry for sites – but without land on which to grow, skilled jobs, economic growth and regeneration opportunities, which could be secured locally, will be lost to other parts of the country or even abroad.'

Great Yarmouth Energy Park will be marketed as a base for all businesses related to the offshore gas and wind industry supply chains.

And demand is anticipated from the East Anglia Array wind farm.

The first phase of the wind farm, developed as a joint venture between Scottish Power Renewables and Vattenfall Wind Power, is due to start in 2016 and will consist of up to 325 wind turbines.

It is hoped that this project will generate scores of jobs for firms in the wind energy sector, firstly in construction then in servicing, in Yarmouth.

South Denes has been selected for the energy park because it has good access to the outer harbour and river port, it benefits from the LDO, it is adjacent to the enterprise zone which is already targeted at the energy industry, and the borough council owns much of the land, including the ferry steps which give access to the river. In the short term, the borough council is acquiring two pieces of land totalling about four acres – one currently used for storage only and one which is mostly vacant.

This is to be marketed as Ocean Yard - under the Great Yarmouth Energy Park banner - in the new year.

In the longer term GYDC will be talking to firms which are not linked to the energy industry to help them explore relocating, to free up space on the energy park for new job creation.

George Nobbs, Norfolk County Council's leader, said: 'Energy is becoming an increasingly significant sector and it is important that we move with the times and respond and embrace change.

'The Great Yarmouth Energy Park will allow us to do this, creating a desirable area for businesses to locate to and as a result boost the local economy. This is an exciting project which I'm sure, over time, will enable this area of Great Yarmouth to really fulfil its potential.'

The vision is backed by key firms in the sector including Seajacks, ODE and Aker Solutions, all of which have a Great Yarmouth presence, as well as organisations including New Anglia LEP, EEEGR (East of England Energy Group), and the Norfolk and Suffolk Energy Alliance.

Firms interested in finding out more can call Liz Macdonald on 01493 846227 or Tracy Brooker on 01493 846535.