Employment focused projects aim to provide facilities, employment land and premises to capitalise on the continued investment in the clean energy, engineering, maritime and science sectors, to ensure an increase in long-term employment opportunities including higher skilled jobs that raise aspiration.
Lowestoft sits at the gateway to many of the current and future offshore wind farms just off the coast of East Anglia, placing it at the heart of the UK’s clean energy sector. ScottishPower Renewables and SSE both operate their Operations and Maintenance (O&M) bases from the town port. The town is strategically placed to capitalise on further growth in the sector, as well as benefiting from substantial job creation and supply chain benefits due to major infrastructure projects outside the town such as the proposed development of Sizewell C.
Lowestoft also boasts three Enterprise Zones which have seen significant growth leveraging over £43m of public and private sector investment, creating 900+ new jobs to date. The Enterprise Zones will be the catalyst for further interventions needed to realise this opportunity with partners maximise private sector investment.
Lowestoft has a number of key anchor institutions within the town, including the headquarters of Defra’s Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), a leading national agency in marine science, which is currently undertaking a multi-million pound investment in its Lowestoft headquarters, securing its long-term future in the town.
Concept of South Quay Wharf
The Port Gateway project will create, new, high value jobs and unlock future inward investment, securing the town’s future as a hub for the clean energy sector. The development see the following improvements:
The first phase of improvements will see the demolition of the suspended quay by Associated British Ports.
The second phase of works will then take place to transform the area into a pocket park, funded through Lowestoft’s Towns Fund, which will see a sheltered garden backdrop from which to watch the boats leaving and returning the port. New planting will include willow and alder trees, species native to the Broads, to provide shelter, and underplanting features shrubs and spring and summer flowers associated with woodland edges.
Led by: East Suffolk Council and Associated British Ports
Timeframe: Winter 2023 – Spring/Summer 2024
LEEF. Credit: ABP
In 2021 Associated British Ports launched the Port of Lowestoft Masterplan setting out ambitious plans until 2040.
The Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF) is a £34minvestment that will create 360m of berthing space with an increased depth of 5.35m for simultaneous use by three Service Operational Vessels (SOV). In addition, it will provide 1 acre of port side space that is tailored to industry requirements.
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Lowestoft PowerPark
PowerPark covers 24.7ha including the towns port, dock and industrial area, and is becoming heartbeat for the regions offshore renewables, engineering, and maritime industries, and create, new, high value jobs and unlock future inward investment, securing the town’s future as a hub for the clean energy sector.
The Port of Lowestoft, owned by ABP, acts as an important regional sea servicing route between the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, and the Baltic States.
The Nexus. Credit: ESC
East Suffolk Council is now moving forward with the initial phase of The Nexus development on Newcombe Road, which forms part of the PowerPark. The site which has been vacant for nearly 3 years, is occupied by two industrial buildings that are now beyond their economic life, and the initial phase of works will see these demolished as part of the new proposals.
With construction commencing in early 2024 the site will be redeveloped to include 16 purpose-built contemporary business units of varying sizes, ranging between 35m2 and 225 m2. The site will also be landscaped, internal estate roads will be created with car parking, cycle storage and waste collection provision. For further information on The Nexus, please click here.
Completed unit at Mobbs Way Enterprise Zone
Enterprise Zones are designated areas across England that provide tax breaks and Government support. They are great places to do business especially for both new and expanding firms.
East Suffolk has three strategically important employment sites in Lowestoft which are part of the New Anglia, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Enterprise Zone.
The scheme is a joint venture between New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, Suffolk County Council, Norfolk County Council, East Suffolk Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council, with a focus on growing energy related businesses and creating high skilled jobs. Since 2013 the scheme has attracted £44.5million of public and private sector investment across East Suffolk by providing new premises which attract small, medium and large businesses. To date the scheme has supported 30 business.
Each site has access to broadband and a simplified planning process for development. Business support is also available from the New Anglia Growth Hub who will be able to advise on potential grants and financial aid available.
The 3 Enterprise Zone sites in Lowestoft are:
South Lowestoft Industrial Estate
South Lowestoft Industrial Estate (SLIE) is 20.3ha in total size, with Phoenix Enterprise Park making up 9 acres of this employment area. Phoenix Enterprise Park has 17 business units built on a purpose built development. 15 businesses have already taken advantage of the site ranging from manufacturing to mechanics. The units are brand new light industrial units built to a very high standard starting from 2,500sq ft, boasting super-fast broadband, 3 phase power supply, efficient LED lighting, electrical fittings and are fitted with an accessible/staff toilet.
Mobbs Way
Mobbs Way is 4.7ha of employment land and is ideal for small businesses or start-ups who are ready to take their next step to expanding their business. The site has been successful ever since it opened with a total of 32 units on site ranging from sizes 140sqm to 418sqm . There is a wide range of businesses operating from Mobbs way, from engineering to builders and media companies.
Riverside
The 4.5ha site is situated within Lowestoft’s inner harbour, located to the South of Lake Lothing. The site can be accessed by the A12 via Waveney Drive and is surrounded by a mixture of residential, retail and office uses. This enterprise zone already accommodates a number of civic uses and is expected to provide further opportunities for office uses. The Development for the Gull Wing River Crossing will be taking place at Riverside and will be providing a key infrastructure improvement to Lowestoft.
CEFAS Office Building Credit: CEFAS
An ambition of the Town Investment Plan is the development of a Marine Science Campus to deliver a dedicated, academic institute in Lowestoft along with business support services for the sector. It would support the growing demand for higher education provision within the marine science sector, which is expected to boom with the growth forecasts within the clean energy sector.
Working with partners across both the public and private sector our ambitious plans build upon Cefas Head office in the town and the Maritime Skills Centre at East Coast College. Cefas currently employs 300+ practising marine scientists at their recently regenerated headquarters.
Demand for marine science skills and expertise is expected to increase within the region with the continued development of wind farms just off the East Anglian Coast and the proposed Sizewell C nuclear power station.
The opportunity links closely to the recommendations as set out in the town centre masterplan, with the ambition to provide an innovation axis within the town centre. This ambition will be developed into a future project once further feasibility works have been completed.
Maritime Simulator. Credit: East Coast College
Lowestoft has areas of severe deprivation, with NEETs and unemployment all embedded within low self-esteem, low paid jobs, low aspiration, poor progression into permanent employment and higher-paid roles.
This project delivered by East Coast College will provide a framework to move people who are currently not in employment, education or training (NEET) into sustained employment and apprenticeships. The uniqueness of the project is that not only will it provide skills and employment training, but also supported work placement elements which will match students to future vacancy openings, in turn providing the student with a gradual entry to work (with mentoring) as well as providing the employer the opportunity to see the person in the workplace and nurture them for the future.
