Wednesday marked the start of the first phase of development of the £6 million Aerohub Business Park at Newquay Cornwall Airport, the UK’s only aviation-focused Enterprise Zone. The project has the potential to create over 30,000sqm of workspace and as many as 750 jobs.
The formal initiation of the project was announced by Stephen Williams MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, who broke the ground on the 53.5 acre site.
The £6 million funding for the Business Park was announced in May of this year and includes a £2,312,000 investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and a European Regional Development Fund convergence grant of £3,934,856, with Cornwall Council providing the land. Phase one will see contractors BAM Construction Ltd install all site services including road access, electricity, water and broadband, and is due to be completed in October 2015.
Stephen Williams MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, commented: “To be here in Newquay to start the mark of this project is a real privilege. The Business Park is great news for the South West and another fantastic step in establishing this Enterprise Zone as a world-class hub for aviation. It is further proof of our aim to build a stronger economy and a fairer society, boosting local communities and creating jobs.”
Chris Pomfret, Chairman, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, commented: “Today marks an important step in the development of the Aerohub Business Park at Newquay Cornwall Airport. This first phase will make the site investor-ready and is part of our strategy to grow the existing cluster of aerospace-related businesses at Aerohub so that more companies will take advantage of the Enterprise Zone incentives available and create more skilled, high-paid jobs.”
Ian Knight, Head of Area at Homes and Communities Agency, said: “The Aerohub Business Park will offer an exceptional opportunity to boost employment in the Newquay area and balances well with ambitious plans to release new housing areas within the town. The Enterprise Zone, focused on Newquay Airport, has the potential to attract important technology, design and environmental industries to the area.”
Julian German, Cornwall Council Portfolio Holder for Economy & Culture, added: “The Business Park is a genuinely exciting project and will complement the existing facilities at Aerohub perfectly. As the UK’s only aviation-focused Enterprise Zone, building an adjacent Business Park is essential for businesses involved in the aerospace and related sectors to be able to achieve their potential.”
Aerohub at Newquay Cornwall Airport has a number of high profile clients within the 280-acre site and has ample development opportunities which include hangars and office buildings, in addition to the business park. The EZ Business Park is part of one of the largest development sites covered by a Local Development Order in the UK. The HCA funding also includes a £150,000 contribution to the ‘Rialton Link’ road, adding to the improvement of local infrastructure.
