Location confirmed for £100m innovation and technology park – East Midlands Business Link

The development of a new £100m innovation and technology park in Ashfield has moved a step closer after Ashfield District Council confirmed a preferred location for the project.

The site on Lowmoor Road, Sutton in Ashfield, opposite Sutton Parkway is the proposed site for the development which will include the construction of the Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre (ADMC).

The location was chosen due to its size, strategic location, transport links, proximity to Vision West Notts College technology campus and neighbouring industrial clusters in the area.

Ashfield District Council has agreed in principle to purchase the land from Nottinghamshire County Council.

Funding has been secured from Ashfield District Council’s Towns Fund Deal, as a part of the investment to create nationally and internationally recognised centres, mirroring UK’s existing Catapult Centres.

The whole site will be a £100m+ development attracting inward investment and create higher economic growth opportunities for the residents of Ashfield.

The £30m ADMC is a circa 4000m2 purpose-built, multi-function centre, with space allocated for research and development, new product development and testing, education and skills development, technology showcasing, networking, collaboration, and event hosting.

It will encompass technical experts, engineers and researchers who will be able to assist businesses of any size from across the East Midlands to understand and adopt automation technologies and to train their staff up into these higher skilled jobs.

The ADMC is ideally located in Ashfield because of its central location in the county, great transport links and a strong manufacturing base in the area. The site is well placed to support distribution companies in the region and the new Free Port coming to East Midlands Airport. Market engagement has shown significant potential for benefits to local businesses. The location is close to the A38 and M1 and near major cities.

Executive Lead Member for Growth, Regeneration and Local Planning at Ashfield District Council, Cllr Matthew Relf said: “The development of the innovation and technology park and Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre will play a key role in bringing economic growth and new investment opportunities that will benefit businesses and residents of Ashfield and create higher paid jobs and education and learning opportunities.

“These developments are part of our broad range of regeneration projects that we secured funding for that are changing the face of the local area. These projects are central to achieving the Council’s ambition of making Ashfield a great place to live, work, study, play and visit.”

Councillor Keith Girling, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management said: “I am delighted that we have been able to support the ADMC Board in this Towns Fund initiative, as part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda. This will help to bring high skill job opportunities into areas where such opportunities have not always been available.

“As the cabinet member for economic development I was in an ideal position to combine the economic benefit with the land we owned at Lowmoor Road, and I am delighted that we have been able to come to a fair conclusion which is a win, win for both councils. I look forward to continuing to support the ADMC Board so that we can maximise the full potential of the site.”

The construction of ADMC is due to start in 2024.