issue 3 autumn 09

cumbria’s official fusioncumbria.com regeneration magazine

◆ A new beginning ◆ Energy Coast: the future ◆ New developments ◆ Talking heads Welcome to Cumbria Beauty, diversity and great Britain’s Energy Coast™, Carlisle Renaissance, Eden opportunities make Cumbria and South Lakeland Employment Sites, the Port of the place to be. Energy, Workington and The Waterfront Barrow-in-Furness sustainable business, new are just some of the multi-million pound schemes being skills and culture are all developed in the county. And with work starting on exiting aspects of the the Carlisle Northern Development Route to improve vibrant regeneration transport links, unique Cumbria is the destination for projects in Cumbria. now and the future. Join us on fusioncumbria.com • cumbria.gov.uk our journey.

Regeneration Advert.indd 1 25/8/09 10:38:45 Energus Contents opens 03 Update The latest regeneration news, happenings and events from across the county. The grand opening in June of Energus, the new £20 million 08 Introduction After a major strategic reshuffle we take skills, training and education a look at Cumbria’s regeneration facility in Workington, by agencies. Ed Miliband, secretary of update state for energy and climate 17 Energy A look at how change, illustrated the area’s Cumbria is leading the way in commitment to Britain’s Energy renewable energy production. Coast™ initiative. Energus is the 22 Projects What are the first project under the initiative main developments that are to be completed. proposed and taking place in The new building has a Cumbria? 200-seat lecture hall, high-tech engineering workshops and 36 Talking heads The leaders of Cumbria’s cutting edge IT and audio visual regeneration give us their services. thoughts. Over 200 people from the energy industries, education 39 Education The sector, local government and importance of creating, and local community attended the retaining, a skilled workforce. opening where Miliband called 43 Interview We Energus a “positive symbol of speak to the NDA’s Sellafield West Cumbria’s future”. programme director Dr Ian Built as the delivery arm of Hudson. the National Skills Academy for Nuclear it also incorporates 46 Contact Who to contact about regeneration in a Learning Gateway for the Cumbria. University of Cumbria, part of the Energy Coast Campus. Executive editor: Kirsty MacAulay Workington MP Tony Features editor: Alex Aspinall Cunningham said: “We need to Art director: Terry Hawes Advertisement sales: Lee Harrison inspire our young people and Production: Rachael Schofield encourage them to aim high. Office manager: Sue Mapara What better way of doing that Managing director: Toby Fox than by providing a training On behalf of: Cumbria County facility that matches the best Council, www.cumbria.gov.uk anywhere?” Published by:

Lower Ground Floor, 189 Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TB New order 020 7978 6840 Cumbria’s regeneration agencies with delivering projects which County Council, the HCA and is imperative that the agencies Subscriptions and feedback: www.fusioncumbria.com have undergone a major shake- have been identified as having NWDA. The shake-up is a direct involved in regeneration work up to bring a more holistic greatest potential to create attempt to improve the county’s together. We need one voice for Printed by: Wyndeham Grange approach to the delivery of jobs, stimulate private sector capacity to deliver regeneration Cumbria and we’ve got to deliver economy-boosting projects. investment and raise the profile projects and achieve its 20-year on our promises.” Images: Cumbria Photo – Dave Willis, Charlie Hedley, Gillespies, West Four regeneration delivery of the county. vision to become one of the Lakes Renaissance, Cumbria Vision, boards now cover Barrow, West The boards have been fastest growing UK economies. © 3Fox International Limited 2009. All material is strictly copyright Sellafield, British Nuclear Group, and all rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of 3Fox International Limited is strictly forbidden. Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Cumbria, Eden and South created by, and will operate Cumbria county councillor Tony The greatest care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine at time of going to press, but we accept no responsibility Newscast, E.ON UK, Corus, D&H Lakeland, and Carlisle (Carlisle under the strategic guidance Markley, cabinet member for for omissions or errors. The views expressed in this magazine are not ­necessarily those of 3Fox International Limited or Cumbria Photographers, Steve Barber Renaissance). They are tasked of, Cumbria Vision, Cumbria economic development, said: “It County Council . Front cover: Wind energy

issue three 0 All change Funding friends

Cumbria County Council has West Cumbria is set to benefit Cumbria a new environment director. from Nuclear Management Marie Fallon joined the council Partners’ (NMP) five-year takes in March taking responsibil- £20 million social-economic ity for economic development, package for the area. NMP, an centre highways and transportation, international consortium set stage and planning and sustainability. up in 2007 comprising URS Fallon moved from the Washington Division, AMEC and London Borough of Enfield AREVA, took over management where she was interim director of the Sellafield sites in Lord Peter Mandelson, importance of ensuring Britain of place shaping and enterprise. November last year. secretary of state for business, has the energy infrastructure Before that she was director of NMP has already donated innovation and skills, was the required to adapt to greater use regeneration at Newcastle City £500,000 to the Cumbria keynote speaker at the Cumbria of nuclear power and renewable Council. Community Foundation and Economic Summit in February. energy, adding: “Cumbria has a Fallon is anticipating a donation of £100,000 to the The event, held at Sellafield powerful potential role to play great things, she said: “I am local Whitehaven Festival. The Visitors Centre, showcased the through its energy supply and delighted to be working for recently announced five-year progress that has been made in its industrial base, in realising Cumbria County Council and package will be co-ordinated the past 12 months in the region that ambition.” look forward to the challenge with the area’s Energy Coast and highlighted future plans of matching Cumbria’s world- masterplan and used in to transform Cumbria and its class environment with partnership with funds from economy. It also saw the launch world-class infrastructure and Above: NMP has donated the Nuclear Decommissioning £100,000 to the Whitehaven of Cumbria’s revised economic facilities. There has been a lot Maritime Festival, which Authority. Chairman of NMP strategy and sub-regional action of organisational change in the attracts thousands of Tom Zarges said: “NMP is residents and visitors. plan. directorate, our focus now is to determined to be an active Mandelson claimed the really concentrate on service partner in the development of country was on the verge of a delivery and build on the the Energy Coast initiative and low carbon industrial revolution county’s strengths and we want this funding to be used and that a shift to low-carbon natural assets.” for what the community wants, technology and production not what we think it would transform how we live and should have.” work, bringing huge economic update opportunities. He mentioned the

as physical regeneration. community and the road will Cumbrians feel they belong to News in brief Culture is the glue that binds link it to the town centre their neighbourhood. It also communities together, gives a improving access to existing topped the list of counties Job centre regional economic strategy place identity and engenders employment sites and easing where older people believe they Furness Enterprise Partnership objective of creating jobs. pride in where we live.” traffic congestion. have the right support to allow helped create 460 jobs last year. The NWDA’s funding will them to live independently In many areas the partnership Cultural capital On the road allow work on phase two of the and also for the percentage of has improved on last year, for The leaders of Carlisle Three million pounds of link road to start, completing people who believe their local example the number of jobs Renaissance have highlighted funding has been granted the final section of the link road council and police understand arising from organic growth by the development of the city’s by the Northwest Regional by the end of this year. their concerns on anti-social existing firms increased by 59% cultural scene as being of Development Agency (NWDA) behaviour and crime issues. and the creation of 150 jobs by central importance to Carlisle’s for completion of the link Home is where the heart is new businesses has increased continued regeneration. road in Barrow-in-Furness. Cumbria has topped a poll as New homes by 32%. Furness Enterprise’s Bryan Gray, chair of Carlisle The £200 million waterfront the county in England where The Homes and Communities chief executive Harry Knowles Renaissance, said: “I believe development, comprising local people most feel a sense Agency is now up and running said the agency had made a passionately that culture homes, business and leisure of belonging. The National and looking at priorities for valuable contribution to the is as important to Carlisle space, will create a new Place survey showed 69% of housing in Cumbria.

0 Feeling the love

A campaign by Barrow Council’s “We went through several options using Regeneration Publicity Team highlighting corporate images of the town and then the passion local residents have for the decided to do something different. The chief town has captured the imagination of local executive was thrilled with the logo and we lighting specialist Lumier. The company, decided to use it for a campaign.” which provides lighting for famous buildings Local businesses are encouraged to use and structures across the world, from the the logo through a programme devised by Burj al Arab hotel in Dubai to the Clifton the council and many of them have taken Suspension Bridge in Bristol, is creating up the offer, including BAE who ran a illuminated Love Barrow heart signs with 20x30ft building wrap declaring Love Barrow low energy, hi-tech LED lights to mark (pictured above, insert). The campaign Lumier’s tenth birthday. has been a runaway success – North West The Love Barrow campaign has been Evening Mail has printed three Love Barrow running since 2007 when Cactus Creative supplements and ran a photographic came up with the pink, heart shaped logo competition asking readers to submit images to run on a building wrap in the town. of their beloved town. The winning shot was Valerie Holden at Barrow Council explains: of Furness Abbey.

issue three 0 update

New nuclear facilities Sellafield is on the list of suitable sites for a new government backed nuclear power station alongside Kirkstanton and Braystones. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has land available adjacent to Sellafield which it is keen to use for the new station. A decision on where in the country the power stations will be built is due to be published towards the end of the year. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “We are building a new range of nuclear power stations. Sellafield has got a great history, it’s also got a great future.” A new power station could bring up to 9,000 jobs and £2 billion to the region and wider economy. Jamie Reed, Copeland MP called the opportunity ‘momentous’ for the local community.

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0 New beginnings Big changes are happening in Cumbria. Juliet Shaw discovers how the restructure of the county’s regeneration delivery bodies is set to invigorate the region’s development

A re-structuring of the parts of the county. organisations which deliver Cumbria’s Roger Liddle, chairman of Cumbria Vision, regeneration plans – including new delivery says: “The four delivery boards in Cumbria will boards – marks the culmination of a new era of ensure that the capacity will be available to action to put the plans into place. deliver the key transformational projects listed Three new delivery boards for West Cumbria, in the SRAP. For the first time, Cumbria has Barrow and Eden and South Lakeland, who produced a plan which recognises all available will work together with the existing board for investors, including the private sector.” Carlisle – Carlisle Renaissance, were established Marie Fallon, the director of environment at following consultations on the county’s future. Cumbria County Council, is all too aware of the All four delivery teams will work alongside need for action from the new boards. Cumbria Vision, Cumbria County Council, the “We need to move from where we were,” she Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and admits. “It’s very important that the new boards the Northwest Regional Development Agency can deliver and there’s a much sharper focus (NWDA) to oversee the delivery of projects on delivery and outcomes, and what we can in their own areas, while ensuring that the do collectively as organisations to make things priorities of the county as a whole are met. happen. When Cumbria Vision, the county’s “We’ve tried to be much clearer about what subregional partnership for economic our requirements and priorities are, and that development, produced a revised economic they will continue to be worked through over strategy for Cumbria last year, it identified two the next year.” main strategic priorities that would build on the She continues: “There’s a recognition that we strengths and resources already in place in the had a lot of work happening but it wasn’t as co- county. These were the opportunities of energy ordinated and focused as it needed to be, so our and the low-carbon economy; and raising the efforts have been to rationalise the partnerships, attractiveness of Cumbria as a place to live, look at the programmes being delivered within invest in, work and visit. each region and ensure they’re supporting the Its Cumbria Sub-Regional Action Plan key economic aspirations of the county: energy (SRAP) sets out how the priorities and projects and destination.” in this strategy should be put into action. The two boards for West Cumbria and

With a new strengthened At the same time, Cumbria County Council Barrow will divide the area previously covered structure of regeneration bodies examined the existing delivery arrangements by West Lakes Renaissance. These two areas in Cumbria, it is hoped that the two main sectors for the county, and whether they would be sufficient to put the already have close links in terms of the recently energy and destination, will TM receive maximum attention. strategy into practice. This review recommended branded Britain’s Energy Coast initiative. West that the four delivery boards should be Cumbria is known for its nuclear industry established to oversee activities in different and Barrow has long-established links with •

issue three 0 introduction

Below: The regeneration and we need to play to our strengths – there “There are three strands to our programme agencies involved in Cumbria’s renaissance are working together are not many places in the world you can go that we’re focusing on,” says Pointing. “Creating to ensure the county achieves its goals. to with such a concentration of expertise. We the infrastructure with the waterfront scheme have a tremendous asset to promote, and we are and town centre regeneration; creating the promoting it nationally and internationally.” education structure we need through supporting Pointing agrees. “Barrow is an important part the further education and higher education offer offshore energy providers and is home to BAE of the Energy Coast, and Barrow itself is very – the University of Cumbria is establishing itself Systems, which is licensed to produce modules strong in energy – with BAE systems licensed at Furness College to offer a combined further for nuclear power plants. to build modules for nuclear power stations, education and higher education campus that will Brian Wilson, a former government energy oil exploration and wind farms just off Walney, be awarding more degrees and supporting the minister, has been appointed chairman for Morecambe Bay gas processing, the potential academy proposals; and making sure we have the West Cumbria delivery board, with Stuart for biomass and the proposal for a new power the enterprise culture here which hasn’t been Cowperthwaite, former director of the Cumbria station using biofuel.” strong in the past as, historically, we’ve relied office of energy and regeneration consultants too much on the shipyard.” White Young Green, in place as programme In terms of other priorities, the Carlisle Renaissance, chaired by Bryan Gray director. development of the Waterfront Barrow-in- and led by programme director Ian McNichol, In Barrow, Murray Easton, the former Furness is well under way. The masterplan has been in place since 2005. Set up in response managing director for BAE Systems, will chair includes a marina village consisting of 650 to the floods which devastated Carlisle, the the new delivery board, while Bob Pointing takes homes and a marina with 350 berths, which board has developed a programme in line with up the post of programme director following is well advanced in terms of design and the vision for Cumbria as part of its overall six years as chief executive of West Lakes procurement. programme of work. Renaissance. The first phase of the 27-hectare business The four immediate priorities for the Carlisle Wilson says: “What strikes me as unusual park included in the Waterfront development board are: supporting the expansion of higher and very exciting about the West Cumbria has been completed, with work on the Ramsden education in Carlisle by developing Caldew team is the breadth of powers and areas of Business Park infrastructure finished. The site is Riverside as the new city-centre headquarters involvement. now available for developers to build on and is and campus for the University of Cumbria; “There has to be early evidence that we are being actively marketed. establishing the Historic Quarter as a • going to make a difference – and there has to be a range of powers and the breadth of support that makes it possible to set strategic priorities and not just a bit here and a bit there. Obviously the delivery of the Energy Coast is turning that into a reality. If you’re going to get the skills and jobs into the area, you have to have a good Cumbria Cumbria NWDA HCA socioeconomic environment, and the Energy Coast initiative will deliver that. Vision County “There’s a high level of expectation and, Strategic Level Council to have the delivery team at West Cumbria overseeing this with such an extensive remit is a huge achievement in its own right. “There is acute awareness that there needs to be some early hits, so the last thing we’ll be doing is going back to square one. Our priority is to make sure people see things happening, and certainly within the next 12 months see that we are making a difference.” Despite the areas covered in the Energy Coast initiative being shared between the two Eden and boards, Wilson insists that the delivery of the Above: Artist’s impression of plan, together with the vision for Cumbria, will Carlisle Barrow West Barrow Marina Village, just one South of the major developments set to remain the focus of both. Renaissance Regeneration Cumbria transform Cumbria. Lakeland “There has to be co-operation and co- Vision ordination. This is particularly true on the delivery level Delivery Energy Coast,” he says. “Barrow has a big part Board to play. There are so many complementary skills and areas of expertise on the whole of the coast

10 “ There is acute awareness that there need to be some early hits, so the last thing we’ll be doing is going back to square one ”

issue three 11 introduction

“ We want to move on from strategy and see a real difference on the ground”

signature tourism destination; strengthening Key to this will be assuming responsibility the competitive position of Carlisle’s city for prioritising and delivering regeneration centre as a location for retail, leisure, cultural initiatives which aim to address these particular and commercial activities; and maximising the economic matters. economic benefits of the M6 corridor through These initiatives include: extending the Eden Carlisle and its strategic location for business. Business Park; establishing the Eden Skills But, as Ian McNichol explains, these are just Centre to provide vocational training in Penrith, elements of the overall plan to regenerate the Alston, Appleby and Kirkby Stephen; the capital city. creation of employment sites and improving the “We have prioritised the things that we public realm in Kendal, Ulverston and the Lake believe will transform Carlisle’s economy, not District National Park; plus the development just physical developments but cultural ones of an academy for the development of business too. And, health, community safety and the improvement districts (BIDS) across Cumbria. ability of children and young people to engage Mandy Dixon, who will hold the post of and prosper are equally as important in making interim chair for a six-month period, says: “This Carlisle successful,” he says. is a crucial and exciting time to bring together A board for Eden and South Lakeland has key private and public sector partners willing to been established and its new programme work together in a creative and strategic joined- director will join shortly. There is considerable up way to deliver a framework for sustainable determination and commitment from the development in Eden and South Lakeland. 14-strong delivery board, led by interim chair “We want to move on from strategy and see a Mandy Dixon, which has been moving at a great real difference on the ground. pace since its inception. This single decision- “In a time of recession and a reduced public making body for all regeneration activity across purse, it is a real challenge to maintain a ‘can do, a largely rural area encompasses the main but may need to do it differently’ approach to urban centres Kendal, Penrith, Windermere deliver the opportunities that communities in and Ulverston, and much of the Lake District rural Cumbria have a right to expect.” “There’s more National Park. Supporting all of the boards is Invest in Cumbria, which is charged with attracting new access to skills The board is intended to champion and investment into the county. John Grainger is its develop the area’s distinctiveness and ability managing director. “Invest in Cumbria has an now than ever to contribute in a significant way to the county important role to play in the new structure,” he and regional economy. It will take a creative and says. “Our remit is to attract investment . We’re before. I’m glad strategic approach to the delivery of projects looking at all the sectors in Cumbria to attract in the SRAP. These include the Windermere new investment in challenging conditions, but I’m staying in Waterfront Programme; Penrith New Squares; with a strong energy investment. Cumbria is the K Village/Kendal Riverside development; well located in terms of natural resources to Whitehaven, the Lowther Castle and Gardens projects; and house the development going forward.” Kendal Canal Head; and working with partners So, after the raft of studies, reports and and not being to support an international tourism marketing revisions, there is evidence of action and the campaign for ‘Destination Cumbria’. vision for Cumbria – to be an energised and forced to leave” The board will also seek to create healthy environment, and one of the fastest and maintain sustainable, thriving local growing economies in the UK – is now very communities. To this end, it will examine much a reality. ❍ issues such as rural remoteness, accessibility, communications, housing and infrastructure.

12 Cumbria going forward

■ Cumbria vision The county’s subregional partnership for economic development Cumbria Vision has masterminded the restructure of the county’s regeneration bodies.

■ Cumbria county council A key regeneration driver for the county accountable for the West Cumbria, Barrow and Eden and South Lakeland boards.

■ NWDA The Northwest Regional Development Agency is a government body to drive economic development and regeneration in the north west.

■ HCA The Homes and Communities Agency is a national agency for housing and regeneration.

■ West Cumbria vision Set up primarily to oversee the successful delivery of the Energy Coast initiative.

■ Barrow Regeneration This is the decision making body for all regeneration in Barrow.

■ Eden and South lAkeland This board will oversee the regeneration of rural areas in Cumbria including the Lake District National Park.

■ Carlisle Renaissance Developing higher education, the Historic Quarter as a tourist destination, maximising the benefits of proximity to the M6 and strengthening the city’s retail, leisure, cultural and commercial activities.

issue three 13 Through our work with some of the region's key stakeholders, we are proud to have played our part Cumbria is open for business... in the Cumbria success story to date. The region, boasting Britain's Energy CoastT M , is recognised nationally for the key role it is set to play in the UK's Low Carbon Transition Plan. This is presenting exciting new challenges and opportunities for local businesses and organisations, as well as for companies from around the world who are keen to play their part.

The benefits are clear - for landowners, developers and contractors from across the nuclear and renewable energy supply chains, for education institutions like the University of Cumbria who will provide the necessary skills training, and for those involved in the delivery of associated infrastructure.

As one of the UK's leading independent law firms, with nationally recognised energy, infrastructure and education practices, Martineau is well placed to help the region turn its unique vision into reality. Advising public and private sector clients alike, we combine technical legal "know how" with practical advice and innovative solutions.

Talk to one of our experts now and find out how we can make a difference.

Andrew Whitehead, Partner & Head of Energy Clive Read, Partner & Head of Cumbria Team T: 0870 763 1528 T: 0870 763 1439 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

www.martineau-uk.com Through our work with some of the region's key stakeholders, we are proud to have played our part Cumbria is open for business... in the Cumbria success story to date. The region, boasting Britain's Energy CoastT M , is recognised nationally for the key role it is set to play in the UK's Low Carbon Transition Plan. This is presenting exciting new challenges and opportunities for local businesses and organisations, as well as for companies from around the world who are keen to play their part.

The benefits are clear - for landowners, developers and contractors from across the nuclear and renewable energy supply chains, for education institutions like the University of Cumbria who will provide the necessary skills training, and for those involved in the delivery of associated infrastructure.

As one of the UK's leading independent law firms, with nationally recognised energy, infrastructure and education practices, Martineau is well placed to help the region turn its unique vision into reality. Advising public and private sector clients alike, we combine technical legal "know how" with practical advice and innovative solutions.

Talk to one of our experts now and find out how we can make a difference.

Andrew Whitehead, Partner & Head of Energy Clive Read, Partner & Head of Cumbria Team T: 0870 763 1528 T: 0870 763 1439 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

www.martineau-uk.com BEC_250x250_Advert 04/08/2009 14:31 Page 1

ACTING LOCALLY, THINKING GLOBALLY The pressing issues of climate change and energy security present Britain with tough challenges but also huge economic opportunities.

In West Cumbria and Furness, we are harnessing the power of the environment and the strength of our world-renowned skills to build a green future for the nation and a more prosperous economy for Cumbrian businesses and communities.

Britain’s Energy Coast™ has potential to provide approximately 25 per cent of the country’s energy needs through a vibrant mix of nuclear, off-shore wind, tidal, wave and biomass. To achieve this, £2 billion worth of investment will take place over the next 20 years; helping new and existing businesses grow while ensuring local people and the brightest brains across the world secure the 16,000 jobs which could be created.

Britain faces unprecedented but exciting times – by acting locally and thinking globally Britain’s Energy Coast™ is taking a lead.

Energy Industries Health A new nuclear power station adjacent to Sellafield producing electricity by The £100 million redevelopment of West Cumberland Hospital and creation 2025; the development of renewable energy, spanning off-shore wind, of a thriving health cluster wave, tidal and biomass; anaerobic digestion, energy from household waste and microgeneration Sustainable Communities An £80 million Housing Market Renewal programme; town centre Skills, Research and Development regeneration and £50 million for improved cultural, sporting and leisure Creating cutting-edge facilities needed to support and grow a world-class facilities; initiatives to attract and retain young people and support for rural workforce in energy. Includes, Energus, University of Cumbria, Dalton communities Cumbria Facility, National Nuclear Laboratory and UCLan@Westlakes Transport Providing support to Enterprise and Inward Investment Significant improvement to road, rail, air and sea links, with projects high growth companies, inward investors and assisting with public sector including the Port of Workington, A595 and the Cumbrian Coast Line relations; Commercialisation, enterprise and business support Key Development Sites Destination Management Raising the attractiveness of West Cumbria and Furness as a place to live, Providing and developing major sites for business, commercial and invest, work and visit residential uses. Includes The Waterfront Barrow-in-Furness, Pow Beck Valley, Derwent Forest, Lillyhall Business Park, Westlakes Science and Technology Park If you require further information please contact Education Margaret Clayton – Head of Programme Office Helping young people achieve their full potential with the Building Schools on 01946 693241 for the Future programme and the creation of new specialist academies or [email protected]

For more information on Britain’s Energy Coast™ visit www.britainsenergycoast.com energy coast

ention Cumbria’s Ambitions to become Britain’s energy industries and TM many will think of Energy Coast means West nuclear power. Yet the Cumbria and Furness are area is setting its sights on becoming a national stepping up their game. Juliet leader in low carbon Shaw discovers the latest plans and renewable energy production, drawing on M sources from the wind farms to sea tides and farm waste to transform its economy. When Lord Mandelson, secretary of state for business, innovation and skills, declared that Cumbria had a powerful role to play in tackling climate change and securing a low-carbon Brimming future, he was making explicit the government’s ambitions for the county to become an ‘eco-hub’ for the UK. Speaking at the Cumbria Economic Summit with energy early this year, Mandelson threw his weight behind West Cumbria and Furness becoming •

issue three 17 energy coast

Britain’s Energy CoastTM, acknowledging that stages of development. It is becoming clear we This is intended to diversify the local economy Cumbria’s economic strategy is leading the are facing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to and significantly improve the economic and country in both nuclear and renewable energy. create a robust and sustainable local economy social prospects of local people by stimulating “The shift to low-carbon technologies and while tackling the pressing challenges of climate investment in everything from transport, production will transform how we live and change and energy security.” education, access to health services and work,” he said. “Inevitably, civil nuclear power is Launched in 2008 the Energy Coast concept was investment in cultural, leisure and sports

Previous page: Lord Peter at the heart of this picture. But your focus isn’t developed by the partners of the West Cumbria facilities. Mandelson speaking at the just nuclear… the concept of an ‘Energy Coast’ is Strategic Forum, including representatives from And, as Sir Martin Holdgate, chair of the Cumbria Economic Summit. Above: Cumbria, and Sellafield, more than just a metaphor.” the nuclear industries, trade unions, councils Cumbria Renewables panel, which identifies have a long history of energy production. The Energy Coast vision makes it clear and business groups across the region. opportunities for renewable energy in Cumbria that, if the area is to make the most of the Historically, the economic focus along notes, the Energy Coast initiative focuses not £300 billion global nuclear decommissioning Cumbria’s west coast has been on nuclear power, only on industry. programme and transform its economy, it needs manufacturing and shipbuilding. A higher than “The energy we’re talking about needs to to use its unique combination of skills, location average proportion of its population work in include social energy and human energy, to and natural resources to become a leader in manufacturing, and research and development. enable us to regenerate the western fringes of renewable energy provision in the UK. It was realised that if action wasn’t taken to Cumbria into a thriving series of communities “Historically, Cumbria has a strong halt the exodus of young people not attracted by in a beautiful environment,” he says. presence in the energy sector,” says Stuart these industries – West Cumbria’s population To this end, more than £2 billion of public Cowperthwaite, programme director for declined by 2.8% between 1991 and 2001, a and private sector funds is set to be invested the West Cumbria delivery team. “There are disproportionate 30% of them young people across Cumbria’s west coast over the next significant levels of skills in the area that will – the area’s economy would decline to the tune 20 years, channelled into nine areas (see box be required by the nuclear industry in terms of £400 million by 2027. There was a danger below). It will support the growth of the energy of decommissioning, and there are many skills that skills, technology and investment into industries, as well as the construction of homes, which are transferable within the energy sector. nuclear and related businesses would be lost to hospitals and schools, creating up to 16,000 “Nuclear new build is where we’re placing countries such as the US and France. jobs. a lot of our attention at the moment but wind Says Cowperthwaite: “Clearly, employment energy is taking off and will have a significant The Energy Coast concept sets out how is going to decline with the completion of effect on the economy. Other potential forms existing nuclear sector expertise can be used decommissioning, but we hope potential new of renewable energy, such as tidal turbines, as a springboard for regeneration and establish build will more than compensate for that. biomass and anaerobic digestion, are in the early the area as a major energy production hub. “Developing the skills in construction

Energy industries Skills, research & Enterprise and Key developments development investment Britain’s A significant level Through a cluster Make the most of Provision of a high-quality 1 of employment and 2of internationally 3intellectual property 4business environment investment around nuclear significant facilities, deliver through: better support supporting research and Energy skills arising from nuclear a sustainable capability in for procurement and development technology and decommissioning (56% of UK nuclear and renewable energy enterprise; inward investment skills. Coast ™ total), new nuclear generation advancement through further opportunities; and the ◆Milestones: and renewables. and higher education. provision of premises and 2009-10 - Albion Square ◆Milestones: ◆Milestones: technology. Office development in the 2009 - Three nuclear new build April 2009 - Serco, Battelle ◆Milestones: Whitehaven town centre; sites named in West Cumbria and University of Manchester 2009 - Enterprise strategy Marchon zone scheme Autumn 2009 - The chosen to run the National developed development; James Fisher nine Department of Energy and Nuclear Laboratory Nuclear Rig Hall development; Climate Change publishing April 2009 - Energus opens Construction of Maryport areas draft list of sites and national and NDA apprentices start Business Centre development nuclear policy statement Sept 2009 - University of (NNPS), followed by public Cumbria takes first students in consultation engineering-related disciplines 2010 - target of 10% electricity 2009-10 - Development of from renewable sources UCLan and Dalton Institute facilities £$ 18 that will allow local people to take up the renewable energy provision in West Cumbria. opportunities it presents is key, and we’re very “The main work at the moment is on wind conscious of the need to bring schools and energy. There are massive allocations for this in colleges into the process at two levels – one to the Irish Sea, both in the Solway area and off the make youngsters aware of the opportunities coast of Barrow,” he says. “They will be bigger so we can inform them in their career choices, and further out to sea than the current wind and the other to work with schools and colleges farm off Walney. This is a significant area of directly to develop their curriculums.” interest at the moment.” “Energus is the key physical embodiment of Wave technology and tidal turbines are also our investment into skills,” says Cowperthwaite. being discussed. “There is a lot of energy out “The University of Cumbria has a presence there – the question is: how to tap it?” says at Lillyhall, and the University of Central Holdgate. Lancashire has taken a building in Westlakes “The surface of the sea is probably the most Science and Technology Park. hostile environment you can imagine. The same “The University of Manchester will also be applies to the seabed – technological advances undertaking a new development as part of the in barrages that can be located on the seabed are Dalton Institute, the university’s nuclear-related gaining all the time.” research arm.” The idea of a transport bridge across Investment in health will complement the Morecambe Bay has been mooted in many skills and research aspect of the Energy Coast. guises over the past two decades. More recent “ The energy we’re The government has allocated £100 million for a discussions have centred on a 30km bridge with new hospital at the West Cumberland Hospital the main function being supporting tidal bay talking about needs site and £80 million for the local Community turbines, and the improved transport links as an Ventures programme. This will bring the added advantage. to include social potential for developments in nuclear medicine, “The enhanced road and rail link would involving the hospital trust, higher education provide positive social potential, and renewable and human energy institutions, the National Nuclear Laboratory, energy could be seen as a bonus,” says Holdgate. nuclear companies and local businesses. “But Solway and Morecambe Bay are to enable us to Sir Martin Holdgate and the Cumbria internationally important for wintering regenerate Cumbria Renewables panel are identifying areas for wading birds and wildfowl and are protected • ”

Education Health Sustainable Transport Destination communities management Primary, secondary and A major overhaul of the Providing homes, cultural, West Cumbria has good High-quality and affordable 5 academy education. 6 acute services hospital, 7 sports and leisure facilities 8 access to ports and air 9 homes stock provides a base ◆Milestones: research and development for existing and future terminals, and road and rail for inward investors, with high- March 2009 - Cumbria County and a ‘health village’ to communities. provision has and will be quality tourism and outdoor Council given go-ahead to start provide primary care ◆Milestones: improved. facilities to attract people from work on Building Schools for services. Development of 2009-2010 - Housing ◆Milestones: all sections of society. the Future project. Document new community hospitals in market renewal programme; May 2009 - Stobart Group ◆Milestones: complete by April 2010 Cockermouth and Millom. Whitehaven town centre; acquires Carlisle Airport and To be developed as part of West ◆Milestones: West Allerdale regeneration; starts work to develop business Cumbria Tourism Development, 2009 - West Cumberland Maryport Townscape Heritage and tourism links led by Cumbria Tourism Hospital appoint Procure21 Initiative July 2009 - Carlisle Northern development partner. Development Route (CNDR) ExpressLIFT partner appointed approved and will provide key for Community Ventures transport links between M6 and programme West Cumbria 2009-10 - Continued developments at Workington Port following the 10-year investment plan

issue three 19 energy coast

“ The development of renewable energy activity in Cumbria will become a shop window for Cumbria and nationally ”

by law, so there are no firm plans in place just set to save around 50 tonnes of CO2 emissions yet.” in its first year. Funding is being sought for a Onshore, there is around 100mW of wind community heating scheme for a small group of turbine capacity in Cumbria, mainly within the properties in Eskdale Green. Energy Coast, coming from 17 wind farms with The swathes of farm land across Cumbria a total of 103 turbines. Another dozen turbines mean the creation of energy from slurry through are under consideration. anaerobic digestion is a real possibility. Here, “We’ve got to be sensible about where we put waste is composted in the absence of oxygen the onshore wind farms,” says Holdgate. “The to produce a gas that can be used to generate ones that have attracted powerful opposition are electricity and heat. Community Renewable those which would have been placed where they Energy Northwest is drawing up plans for a shouldn’t. There is huge potential to develop this plant near Silloth. With 114,000 cows on the form of renewable energy in Cumbria.” Solway plain alone, it has very real potential for Another form of renewable energy being development. considered in the area is biomass – the use of “There are a number of renewable options, plant matter. Around 30,000 tonnes of wood and we’re interested in all of them,” says each year can be sourced from woodlands in Holdgate. “I would like to see Cumbria as an Cumbria, and a further 160,000 tonnes of wood exporter of renewable energy, not just a user. We could be diverted from landfill. Enabling rural could become a green county in more ways than businesses and residents to generate their own one – we want to be a beacon in maintaining energy. wonderful scenery, a prosperous economy, and A community in the Eskdale Valley, which to be known for our manufacturing industry as has been using wood from nearby Miterdale well as our service industry. The development Forest, is leading the way. St Bega’s primary of renewable energy activity in West Cumbria school has a 35kW log-burning system that will become a shop window for Cumbria and saves around 12 tonnes of CO2 emissions each nationally.” year, and Eskdale Youth Hostel has a 55kW Mandelson agrees. “Cumbria is a place of woodchip boiler and heating system which is extraordinary beauty with enormous potential for the future,” he says. ❍

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22 •

The shapeThe of things come to regeneration agencies remodelling of The Cumbria’s Big are things county. the a new dawn for heralds major infrastructure from county, the planned across schemes, new residential nuclear build, to upgrades to upgrades and business parks, development waterfront within Lake the areas Park District National

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Centrica Energy owns and operates the Morecambe gas fields. Our offshore production facilities and onshore processing terminals and support base provide a complex and challenging environment. There are great opportunities to gain experience within our business, whether through work experience, our apprenticeship schemes, a summer placement or a university gap year. There is also our award winning Graduate scheme which includes Engineering, General Management, IT and finance.

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Carlisle’s M6 Corridor Carlisle may not have lived up to its title as Cumbria’s capital city in recent times. But things are set to change. The publication of Carlisle Renaissance’s Action Plan 2009-2012 lays out what the city needs over the coming years to ensure it can realise its potential. Carlisle is now a designated housing growth point which could lead to a 20% increase in the population over the next 20 years. Chris Pearson, development manager for Carlisle Renaissance, says: “This level of growth has not been achieved in Carlisle since the immediate post war period. Carlisle will need to find space to accommodate over 10,000 new jobs if it is to sustain this growth. Some of this will be along the motorway corridor, some will be in the city centre and some will be linked to the Carlisle Northern Development Route in the west of the city.” July 2009 saw the publication of a report examining the potential of the M6 corridor for further investment. The motorway has traditionally played a large role in the city’s development, there has Barrow Waterfront been considerable growth around Junction 44 in recent years, and Business Park Pearson wants public and private sector partners to work together Barrow’s waterfront is to be transformed over to determine the next steps: “Our work on Carlisle’s economic the coming years, with a series of developments strategy helped to identify potential growth sectors for Carlisle and creating a new and vibrant. Part of this area will we want to expand this to look at the wider city-region. We need become the central business hub of the town, a joined-up approach along the motorway corridor throughout through the creation of the Waterfront Business Cumbria and into south west Scotland.” Park Barrow. It is hoped the success of employment-led development at Junction The development, which is located less than a 44 could be extended along the motorway. Junction 42 is currently mile from the town centre, is expected to create underdeveloped and seen by some as a potential location for a around 1,500 new jobs when complete. It will new strategic investment site. Ian McNichol, director of Carlisle be delivered in three phases which include Renaissance comments: “We need to constantly improve the land reclamation and preparation works, quality, choice and availability of employment land in Carlisle infrastructural improvements and building works. to maintain our competitive position and respond to the needs Stage one reclamation and land preparation of investors. There are opportunities to reclaim, reconfigure and works, which will eventually see the creation of improve access to sites on some of the older estates close to the Ramsden Business Park, is complete and a Juncion 43. Carlisle City Council and the Northwest Regional developer is currently being sought to progress Development Agency are actively pursuing this with our support.” with the creation of the work spaces. www.carlislerenaissance.co.uk This is an important scheme for the town, which further drives the regeneration of Barrow. Dick Cuckson, development manager at Cumbria County Council, says: “Barrow has seen a good level of activity over the last decade and following success around the former iron works, which has included offices, managed workspace, workshops and factories, the waterfront was identified as an ideal location for a business park development.” www.cumbria.gov.uk

•

issue three 25 projects

Nuclear new build Cumbria, and specifically Sellafield, is well known for its nuclear expertise but it could gain further recognition if plans to develop the Sellafield site get the go ahead. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is seeking site nominations for the creation of the next generation of nuclear power stations, and Cumbria is putting the Sellafield site forward for consideration. The nomination was prepared by the Nuclear New Build Nomination Team led by West Cumbria’s delivery board. The energy sector has been highlighted through Britain’s Energy Coast, as one of the main avenues through which Cumbria’s regeneration can be achieved. Proposals to further develop the Sellafield site are in line with plans expressed in the county’s Energy Coast initiative. (see pg 17 for Barrow further details) The development of a new reactor in Cumbria would create new, Marina permanent skilled jobs, attract a huge level of inward investment, and Village safeguard the county’s relevance in the highly profitable global energy Plans to further develop this waterfront sector. The government’s decision is due early next year. area of the town focus on the creation of a The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has already invited new £120 million dockland development by expressions of interest from potential bidders for the 250-hectare site to Story Homes. the north of Sellafield, which has been nominated as a potential site for Centred around a 350-berth marina (with the nuclear new build. servicing area and access via canal link to Energy opportunities director for West Cumbria’s delivery team, Rosie the port), Marina Village - a new 36-hectare Mathisen, comments: “If we are to supply electricity to the National mixed-use waterfront community - will Grid by 2025 we need to address a large number of issues, in particular deliver a wide variety of residential, busi- securing an improved grid connection and ensuring the site has the right ness, and leisure-based opportunities to infrastructure links. Obviously the new owner would have a key role to Barrow. play in addressing these challenges so it is important we have them on Initial plans for the Marina Village include board as soon as possible.” shops, restaurants, an athletics area and a www.britainsenergycoast.com children’s playground, as well as around 650 homes, pedestrian- and cycle-friendly roads, and vastly improved areas of public realm plus a wetland centre. The centrepiece of the development will be Marina Square, located on the waterfront, providing the backdrop for hotels, bars and restaurants. Barrow Regeneration and Barrow Borough Council are currently working with Carlisle- based Story Group, as well as Northwest Re- gional Development Agency and the Homes and Community Agency on a business plan for the development. Peter Thompson, senior development man- ager for Barrow’s delivery team, says: “I am delighted to be working with Story on this next crucial stage of the development and onward to realisation of the vision for Marina Village - a flagship scheme funda- mental to the regeneration of Barrow-in- Furness.” www.westlakesrenaissance.co.uk

26 Thomas Armstrong (Construction) Limited Building the Future

From humble beginnings as a joiner, cabinet maker and wheelwright based in Cockermouth, Cumbria. Thomas Armstrong (Construction) Limited has grown into a major contractor for the construction of building and civil engineering projects in the north of England and Scotland.

Thomas Armstrong (Construction) Ltd enthusiastically works in collaboration with local authorities, social landlords and local educators to deliver training and regeneration programmes to provide realistic, sustainable training and employment initiatives throughout the county. Energus

We have worked on a number of regeneration projects throughout Cumbria, such as Workington Town Centre regeneration, numerous tourist attractions throughout the area, assistance of the creative community, affordable/eco housing projects throughout the county, and we recently completed the construction of Energus in West Cumbria.

We have established a number of partnerships with housing associations locally to assist with improvements to social accommodation throughout West Cumbria and improve the community environment. We endeavour to use local companies for our supplies as we feel it is important to assist the local economy. Workington Town Centre

As environmental issues are very important, we work hard to reduce our carbon footprint by using eco friendly products such as sustainable timber, energy saving electrical installations, grey water systems and recycled stone.

Tel No: 01900 68211 Fax No: 01900 602672 Website: www.thomasarmstrong.co.uk

Untitled-1 1 9/9/09 10:09:47 projects

Derwent Forest The huge 424-hectare former Ministry of Defence (MoD) armament storage facility near Great Broughton is among the largest brownfield sites in England. When Allerdale Borough Council bought the land from the MoD for £1 its future was secured and the site now represents huge potential for the area. The site offers a blank canvas for developers as the council will decide what kind of mixed-use combination they want to pursue after concepts have been presented. The scale of the project means selecting the right development is vital, as Allan Haile, head of economic development at Cumbria County Council, explains: “It’s a unique site, and because it is so large there is huge potential for development on the site,” he says. “We have to get the decision right to be able to maximise potential. As we have a blank canvas, we will be able to take the best of what is on offer.” It is anticipated the project will go out to OJEU by late autumn 2009. www.cumbria.gov.uk Port of Workington A 10-year masterplan to make the traditionally provided and boosting Port of Workington a key gateway rail freight. Colin Sharpe, business to the Energy Coast is in place development manager, explains: and upgrading the port’s ageing “Adding value to existing services infrastructure is currently for customers is partly about top priority. offering them more choice. We Investment in the infrastructure are striving to give them that includes reconstruction of dock flexibility by developing the port berths, refurbishment of dock gates into a transport hub, with rail, road and harbour cranes, expansion of and sea all working together in a the container park and new plant complementary manner.” procurements. www.portofworkington.co.uk The port is also working on developing closer business relationships with existing customers, extending the services

28 Carlisle Northern Development Route

At just over five miles long, the Carlisle funding by the Department of Transport. Northern Development Route (CNDR) Construction is due to start at the end will bring a major boost to Cumbria’s of October and is being undertaken by economic regeneration, dramatically Connect CNDR, who will also take on easing congestion and lessening journey maintenance responsibility for 92 miles times in and around Carlisle. of existing roads in Cumbria. The new Aiding businesses and employment road will see the creation of three new in the area, the road will also improve bridges, including one crossing the River transport links between West Cumbria, Eden, and cycle routes along the full Scotland and the North East of England. length of the road. Penrith The £176 million scheme was made www.cumbria.gov.uk possible following the approval of a New Squares £158 million private finance initiative The proposed Penrith New Squares mixed-use development will revitalise Penrith as a retail centre and act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the town. Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) funding of £1 million kick- started construction of the new football stadium, which is now complete, enabling the relocation of Penrith AFC and releasing land for the New Squares scheme. Phased development of the site is under consideration. The first phase will create a 7,240sq m supermarket, 32 affordable homes, a multi- storey car park, a pedestrian link to Princes Street and a new town square. Later phases would create more retail and residential units. Public consultation on the proposals for the project was undertaken in September, the feedback will be taken into consideration in November when Eden councillors will make a decision on the proposals. If the plans get the go ahead work could start on-site in the next year and phase one of the project could be complete by 2011. www.eden.gov.uk

issue three 29 projects

Camp Farm A unique project, encapsulating Cumbria’s past Maryport every year, spending between three Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd was established as well as its future, is the redevelopment of to four million pounds, and creating up to 120 in 2006 with One North East, the Northwest 60-hectares of land at Camp Farm in new jobs in the area. Regional Development Agency, Natural England Maryport. The site, which was purchased by Dick Cuckson, development manager at and English Heritage to help look after, protect Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd in December Cumbria County Council, says: “It is a large and conserve the World Heritage site, and 2008, is among the least researched Roman scheme; £11.5 million is a big project for to increase its contribution to the local and sites in the north of England. Maryport. One of the essential features of the regional economy through sustainable tourism. The purchase of the site was the first step development is that it links into Maryport. The The organisation is currently tying up all the in the plan to excavate the Roman fort site is on the edge of the town and we need funding to allow the scheme to progress, and it is and settlement, and to create a major new to ensure that visitors to the site also come anticipated that work will begin before the end of museum. The £11.5 million project will ensure into the town. What interests us in economic this financial year. the site will be maintained for generations to development terms is visitor numbers and the come, and see up to an extra 50,000 visitors in spin-off to the local economy.”

30 The Cumbrian Coast Line is no ordinary local line, with stunning coastal scenery and magnificent views of the Lake District Mountains it’s a showcase journey of 85 miles. The railway connects the many communities between the border city of Carlisle in the north and the shipbuilding town of Barrow-in-Furness in the south: it makes an valuable contribution to the local economy by taking commuters to work – in places such as Barrow, Carlisle, Sellafield, Whitehaven and Workington. The spectacular views attract thousands of tourists every year and many attractions in Maryport, Ravenglass and Whitehaven are just a short walk from the station. Our stations are every bit as important to us as our trains. Thanks to the efforts of local volunteers, many of them look absolutely beautiful, and that’s why we want to encourage more station friends’ groups. For some of our smaller stations – like Drigg, Green Road and Bootle – community involvement has made a real difference. A couple of years ago, the Cumbrian Coast Community Rail Partnership was created. Its purpose is to drive forward a range of improvements and link the railway with a variety of local initiatives. Northern Rail is a friendly, community-focused operation, which people enjoy using and our employees enjoy working for. We’re continuing to invest more into customer service, and building on the positive feedback we’ve already had. We are very proud of the Cumbrian Coast railway and our efforts will ensure a quality service for years to come. projects

Rural employment sites Regeneration is not the preserve of big towns and cities. In such a rural county as Cumbria it is important to ensure everyone benefits from regeneration plans and investment. The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) commissioned Lambert Smith Hampton to undertake a study to determine the best way to direct public sector investment to encourage rural growth and private sector investment. The NWDA has in excess of £10 million available for the period 2008-2013 and the study will pinpoint target areas for this funding. It is thought a programme- based approach will be taken looking at how modern, flexible work space could be put in place and where the priorities for this are. The study will be published later this year.

32 Carlisle Airport

Much of Cumbria’s wealth is drawn from its business community and from the vast num- bers of tourists that flock to the north west every year. This, combined with hopes to make the county more easily accessible, is the reason behind plans to develop Carlisle Airport. Planning consent has already been secured for the creation of a warehouse and distribution centre to accommodate Stobart’s Carlisle operation and Stobart Rail’s operations, and to improve the aviation side of the airport by upgrading the runway to remove the weight limit it currently operates under. This would allow the airport to attract commercial aircrafts, significantly boosting visitor numbers to the county – those arriving for both business and pleasure. Richard Gordon, Carlisle Airport director, is positive about the developments taking place. He comments: “We are on the edge of the Lake District, we have Hadrian’s Wall, and the border country, so for an inbound tourism location we have a lot to offer, and getting tourists directly in here would be great. There are also people travelling to do business on the Energy Coast. At the moment it is very hard for people to get in and out of Carlisle and the surrounding area quickly, and Cumbria loses out on some key markets because of this. Having an airport here is going to make a lot of difference.”

issue three 33 projects

Lake District National Park Not only is Cumbria home and its surroundings. Public seum, the creation of a 600- three visitor information cen- to England’s largest national realm around the lake will be seat conference facility at Low tres to provide user-friendly park, the Lake District Na- improved via landscaping and Wood Hotel and aspirations buildings is already under way. tional Park, but also its high- in certain areas the quality of for a 21st century visitor facil- In keeping with the environ- est mountain – Scafell Pike, the built environment will be ity at Lake District National ment the buildings will pro- which stands at 978m. With enhanced. Park Visitor Centre. The Lake mote locally sourced materials, 8.3 million visitors a year it The plans include a masterp- Windermere Waterfront Pro- high quality and low energy is important to ensure the lan, being developed by BDP gramme also aims to encour- installations such as lighting, park lives up to expectations, for Bowness Bay, a key arrival age visitors to use sustainable a new air source heat pump something the Lake District point for tourists, where the methods of transport through and sheep’s wool insulation. National Park Authority is possibility of including a new the development of a cycleway Ullswater was the first of the working towards with its Lake hotel and cultural facility is and the introduction of a wa- centres to open, followed by Windermere Waterfront under consideration. Also ter-bus network as well as park Bowness. Work will start on Programme. under consideration are plans and ride/sail points. the refurbishment at Keswick The project is set to maintain, for the redevelopment of A £150,000 refurbishment before the end of the year. upgrade and enhance the lake Windermere Steam Boat Mu- package for the upgrade of www.lake-district.gov.uk ❍

34 Northumbria University

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Come together

Ian A renewed Haythornthwaite executive director of emphasis on resources at the Northwest Regional Development partnership Agency (NWDA) “In Cumbria we work with working is partners including local ensuring authorities, public bodies and the private sector on projects that Cumbria’s Marie Roger will make a significant impact on Fallon Liddle the sub-regional economy. Our regeneration corporate director for chairman of Cumbria Vision partners include our sub-regional environment at Cumbria County “There is a very strong national policy partner, Cumbria Vision, formed delivery bodies are Council dimension to Cumbria’s economic future, by the NWDA, and responsible “The positions I have had in the past and the energy question is at the core of for economic development and pulling in the same have included some areas of work this. It is something that has interested regeneration strategy. similar to the ones I am currently me for many years and, because I am “Energy is a vital part of direction. responsible for. So I can bring my from Carlisle as well, I am very glad to be Cumbria’s economy with over experience of service delivery from helping with it. 12,000 direct jobs. West Cumbria Cumbria’s other parts of the country. “The biggest challenge is to get Vision, supported by NWDA, is expertise and “By building on our main dynamic people to choose Cumbria as a now tasked with delivering key strengths – our diverse communities, place to live. A lot of people love Cumbria elements of the masterplan to experience in the natural resources and world-class but they don’t necessarily come here transform West Cumbria into landscape, we will be able to realise to work. We need to change the image Britain’s Energy Coast. energy industry our goals. The biggest challenge of Cumbria so it becomes a wonderful “Skills are paramount in facing the progression of Cumbria’s place to grow a business and to bring up driving forward the economy and has never been regeneration is going to be a family. NWDA has committed co-ordinating its activities effectively “I would like to see the University of £36 million to the University of more important to ensure maximum return on the Cumbria firmly established, I would like Cumbria, to address the outflow investments we are making. to see a raising of educational attainment of young people who leave to gain to the future of “And this applies particularly to levels across Cumbria, I would like to see higher education qualifications the opportunities presented by the more of the area’s talented young people and seldom return. the country – and presence of the energy sector. We coming back to the county after they have “We are confident that by there is a sense of have to support the existing energy finished university, and to do this we need working with our committed sector, and create the appropriate to build up an economic backbone for the partners we will deliver sustained genuine optimism conditions for nuclear new build and county based on our unique strengths; investment and real economic the exploration of renewables. energy and the natural attractions of benefits for Cumbria.” in the north west “By working together in strong Cumbria.” partnerships we can make the that now is the best of our excellent communities, businesses and landscapes. I’d like time for change to see us successfully addressing the challenges around climate change and great things while at the same time bringing are about about dramatic changes in some of the less well off parts of the county.” to happen

36 Come together

Murray Bryan Easton Gray chair of Barrow chair of Carlisle Renaissance Regeneration “It was logical for me to be interested “The energy sector has the in playing a role in Carlisle. I think it potential to play a very significant has huge potential. Carlisle has not role in the area’s improvement on played to its full potential yet, and the basis that being part of the I’d like to be involved in making it nuclear cluster in the north west, do that. Barrow, and West Cumbria, we “There are some potentially Brian have a lot of the skills, and the Mandy conflicting issues in Cumbria, such Wilson potential to attract more to the Dixon as the beauty of the Lake District, chair of West Cumbria Vision area. interim chair of Eden and South and the sustainability issues of “The energy sector is hugely important “One of the challenges we face Lakeland delivery board attracting tourists, the need to – both in terms of what exists and also is that it seems businesses have “Cumbria’s main strengths include develop energy, the need to boost potential for the future. West Cumbria has difficulty recruiting people into its world-class environment, its employment. given a huge amount to the economy of the the area. We are still not selling quality of life, the creative drive of its “Where does Carlisle fit into all UK over the last couple of centuries, first it effectively as a wonderful place communities, the global recognition this? It is a city, it is the biggest place through the coal industry and then nuclear. to live and work. Those of us that of the value of the Lake District brand, in the county, but do people see it It makes sense to build on that history and are here know the area provides a and the M6 corridor and the west like this? The answer is probably these strengths, while always looking for phenomenal quality of life. There coast mainline. All these contribute to not. Carlisle has not risen to the opportunities to diversify. are similarities with Glasgow; it a marketable brand which, if managed challenge of creating a city region, “I am a great believer in jobs as the key used to have a bad reputation but in a creative and enterprising way, will and my view is that it should be up to economic improvement. If people have the European City of Culture title result in attracting focused private there with Durham and York. And work, they have money to spend and the succeeded in changing this. There sector development to allow the county this is our task. whole place can move forward. You can are still some areas that are not to continue developing an integrated “The foundations have already have any amount of top-down regeneration that nice but perceptions have approach to economic regeneration. been laid; we know what the but if it does not create real, well-paid jobs, been changed. And this could “Over the next ten or so years I’d challenges are, we know what the it will not be sustainable. So the biggest happen in Barrow. like to see more employment site opportunities are, and it is about challenge is to turn all the ideas and “It is just a case of selling opportunities opened up in the south doing it now, and finding ways of potential into real, high quality jobs. it properly; making sure the and east rural areas of the county, achieving change.” “The measures of success will be in schools are good, the residential addressing the low wage to house terms of the quality of jobs and the opportunities are good, that the price discrepancies; the growth of the environment in which people live. I hope retail offer is good, and that life presence of the University of Cumbria that West Cumbria Vision will help to away from work is desirable here.” in all areas of the county, assisting in deliver some early hits which demonstrate stemming the flow of young people that economic regeneration is not an empty from the county and attracting new phrase but an umbrella term for many young people in, also focusing on improvements which contribute to developing the workforce for the future; these ends.” and increasing sustainable transport initiatives helping to deliver the economic improvements to which we are aspiring.”

issue three 37 Fusion 256x256 12/10/09 10:32 Page 1

The university at the heart of West Cumbria’s Energy Coast and its local communities

• Providing programmes at degree level and above at our expanded and modernised Westlakes campus •

• Developing skills for the energy industries •

• Undertaking significant research •

• Engaging with employers •

• Working with training providers •

• Raising aspirations •

• Working with colleges and sponsoring the Westlakes Academy •

• Supporting the Energy Coast •

For more information visit www.uclan.ac.uk/cumbria Course enquiries: 01772 892400, [email protected] education

Learning curve

nergus, the £20 million education into the nuclear, science and engineering and training facility at Lillyhall, sectors, but also to provide on-the-job training Things are changing in Cumbria opened in June. This is just the and education for those interested in moving first of many education initiatives from one industry to another. and the education sector and in West Cumbria to improve “There is a need to develop more skills facilities are being developed learning provision and boost through clear pathways,” says Graham Lamont, employees’ skills. chair of the Cumbria Employment and Skills and improved in line with These initiatives will support the Board, which was established last year by these changes. Pamela Buxton E £2 billion Energy Coast initiative, which aims to Cumbria Vision, Cumbria County Council and supplement the region’s nuclear industry with the Learning and Skills Council to identify the discovers more energy from renewable sources. county’s skills gaps and requirements. Over time, this regeneration will create To make this happen, the board is first thousands of new jobs – so the local workforce researching the skills needs of local employers needs to be prepared. To help fulfil this need, and looking at how these can be met by local there are plans to improve education in schools education and training providers. and investing in higher and further education, Lamont anticipates the outcome will with the emphasis on vocational training. focus not only on traditional learning Not only is it essential to attract new people establishments, such as schools, colleges • issue three 39 education

Previous page and above: and universities, but also on other ways to and accommodation for research and knowledge into areas such as radiation science and Current designs for the proposed deliver training, such as online and distance transfer activities. decommissioning engineering. It will also offer West Lakes Academy at Egremont. The £25 million facility, learning. “We’re ensuring there are appropriate skills continuing professional development for those which opens in September 2011, will specialise in science and “My challenge is to make sure it’s an organic for the future,” says Graham Baldwin, pro-vice in the industry. State-of-the-art IT facilities will business enterprise. process where employers and providers of chancellor (skills and employer engagement) allow students to access lectures in Manchester. training are joined up to provide the skills of UCLan. He adds that this is particularly Students set to benefit from the new needed by the Cumbrian economy,” he says. important since a number of people employed in research centre will include those studying the West Cumbria is becoming increasingly the nuclear industry are approaching retirement. many new degrees that are being formulated in important as a location for research and training “There is a potential risk of skills shortage in response to the changing nuclear industry. for universities in the area. the future as there are changes in demographics. According to Professor Andrew Sherry, The University of Cumbria has opened a new We’re very keen to bring in new blood,” he says. executive director of the Dalton Nuclear facility at Energus, its Learning Gateway (West), The University of Manchester is also Institute, such investment is “absolutely which is helping to deliver the university’s involved in West Cumbria through its Dalton fundamental” to the future success of the east engineering and business management courses. Nuclear Institute. Together with the Nuclear coast industries. “It feels like there’s a real head Meanwhile, the University of Central Decommissioning Authority, they are investing of steam,” he says. Lancashire (UCLan) has been investing in its £10 million each in a proposed research centre Earlier stages of the education chain are not Cumbria campus and upgrading the Westlakes at the Westlakes Science and Technology Park, being neglected. Cumbria County Council has Research Institute, which opened in September which has now received planning permission. bid for £80 million from the Building Schools after a £5 million refurbishment. The new Housing 60 staff and postgraduate students, for the Future (BSF) programme to transform facility provides teaching and learning facilities, the centre will conduct world-leading research four secondary schools – Whitehaven, Mayfield, Millom and Netherhall – and upgrade secondary facilities in Workington. It has been placed 11th out of 70 nationwide in an indicative priority “ There is a potential risk of skills list issued by Partnerships for Schools, the team that delivers the programme. However, shortage in the future...we’re very investment may not be forthcoming until 2015. Improvements to the school environments keen to bring in new blood ” are essential if education standards are to be

40 Top left: Plans for the University of Manchester’s new research centre at West Lakes Science and Technology Park. Bottom left: UCLan’s West Lakes Research Institute. Below: University of Cumbria’s new Learning Gateway West in the Energus building.

Energus With its smart corporate headquarters-style interior, Energus looks and feels like it means business. Some £20 million has been spent on setting up the 6,000sq m vocational training centre, and it shows – from the state-of-the-art workshops and cinema- level 204-seater auditorium to the variety of learning spaces such as lecture theatres and facilities for distance learning. Everywhere is wi-fi-enabled – £1.5 million has been invested in IT and audio-visual equipment alone. raised, according to Councillor Anne Burns, Mick Farley, chair of the academy’s governing Appropriately, the training centre was built by a local who co-represents children on the county body and UCLan’s director for Cumbria. firm, Thomas Armstrong (Construction). council’s cabinet. “If we’re looking at giving our He is keen to raise the aspirations of young “Our core aim is about enabling West Cumbria kids the best, you can’t do that in buildings people in the area. “The academy will aspire to and the Energy Coast to rise to the challenge,” says where ceilings are falling in and you have to use transformational learning. We want to ensure Andrew King, chief executive of Energus. “The local outside toilets,” she says, adding that children that personalised learning is tailored to meet population needs to have appropriate skills to maximise need spaces that are inspirational, exciting and individual needs,” he says. opportunities in the region.” adequately resourced. Detailed design of the new £25 million He describes the new centre as a ‘one-stop shop’ Another big change in secondary education school, by architect Halliday Clark, is still being for training, including apprenticeships, undergraduate has been the development of academies, finalised, and Farley says this will be a departure studies and corporate training. which are already well under way in Cumbria. from traditional classroom arrangements. While there will be school engagement activities Barrow is developing a new £45 million state Instead, it will have flexibly sized learning to encourage interest in science and technology, the of the art Furness Academy due to be built by spaces, all supported by new technology. Four overall aim is to create a business rather than a college September 2012. In addition, Barrow’s Furness clusters of three classrooms will have the atmosphere. College, which provides both further and higher flexibility to open up into single large halls. The Energus can accommodate more than 500 people education has been successful in its bid to the school will be arranged on three levels and will at any one time, and has 20 of its own staff plus 50 Learning and Skills Council for some include a public library and youth centre. instructors. Practical training on mechanical, electrical £40 million. “If you go into an inspirational building, you and instrumentation work can be carried out in the One academy with strong links to local are more likely to have a positive attitude – both workshops. industry is West Lakes Academy, which has a teachers and young people,” Farley says. As well as meeting the needs of local businesses and specialism in science and business enterprise If the Energy Coast vision bears fruit, there universities, Energus will provide a core set of courses and is due to move into its £25 million new will be plenty of employment opportunities for the National Skills Academy for Nuclear, which was home at Egremont in September 2011. Its coming West Cumbria’s way in the next few one of the funders. sponsors include Sellafield and UCLan. decades. And, if the investment in education “There is nothing like this in Cumbria,” says King. “The university has a campus in West and training pays off, the local population will be “Our ability to deliver education and training will be Cumbria and the area is important to us. By well placed to benefit.❍ world class.” sponsoring the academy, we can position ourselves centrally in the local community,” says

issue three 41 24/8/09 17:20:01 issue 3 autumn 09 autumn fusioncumbria.com A new beginning Energy Coast: future the developments New heads Talking

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fusion cumbria’s official regeneration magazine issue 3 autumn 09 Contact LeeContact Harrison 020 7978 6840 more than 35,000 regeneration professionals. 35,000 regeneration than more Make sure everyone sure Make knows.

Use Fusion magazine to promote your company and its work to its and to work company your Use magazine Fusion promote to Are you helping to transform Cumbria? transform to helping you Are 00_house_ad.indd 46 keynote interview

Contrary to expectations nuclear decommissioning has led to a positive rather than negative outcome. Julie Mackintosh finds out from Dr Ian Hudson, the NDA’s Sellafield programme director, how the area is set to benefit from its nuclear expertise From gloom to glory

Dr Ian Hudson remembers seeing there has also come the news a newspaper’s billboard while on his way to one that few in the West Cumbrian of the first Nuclear Decommissioning Authority workforce had dared to hope (NDA) meetings back in April 2005. ‘Today for – Britain is to build a new job losses start’ was the doom-laden message generation of nuclear reactors, 11 on the board and the Sellafield programme to be precise. director admits to continuing his journey with a But, back then, with these events somewhat heavier heart. yet to unfold, despair over the future for (a Today, with activity and positive feelings much relied upon) nuclear industry was more abundant in West Cumbria, such pessimism than justified. seems a long way off. A 2003 report predicted that However, Hudson’s anecdote neatly decommissioning would see 8,000 of the illustrates just how much has changed since 12,000 Sellafield employees lose their jobs by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s 2012, alongside at least another 2,000 in the formation only four years ago. supply chain. The multi-billion pound decommissioning In the borough of Copeland, 47% of the operation, once viewed as an economic labour force worked in the nuclear sector death knell for West Cumbria, has created a and 60% of households had at least one burgeoning, world-class knowledge cluster. member employed in it. “In financial The prospect of an end to nuclear terms, the industry has dominated in reprocessing at Sellafield has also seen the Cumbria,” acknowledges Hudson. creation of a regeneration masterplan intended He adds: “In many ways, the report’s to make the region’s economy more diverse. dismal predictions were an impetus for change. Since the dark days of the mid-noughties Nuclear is the economic engine of the region, • issue three 43 keynote interview

An academic and training hub is quickly The government sees Cumbria as being built up in West Cumbria. This “ includes a nuclear research institute, a joint a strategic part of the nuclear, and project between the NDA and University of Manchester’s Dalton Institute, the national indeed the country’s, entire energy Nuclear Laboratory and projects involving the Universities of Central Lancashire, Lancaster future - which is different from its and Cumbria. (For more on this see pg 39) Following a change of government policy, position five years ago Fact file there are now plans for a new generation of ” nuclear power, specifically 11 new reactors by Dr Ian Hudson 2018. The NDA is not directly involved in this NDA’s Sellafield process, although it is selling land for a possible it’s the mainstay and now it’s a force for management, technical management and programme director reactor site. restructuring and creating stimulus in other engineering, for example, are just as valid in the and chair of the “You can more easily justify a new build if areas too. oil and gas sectors or the low-carbon economy.” newly opened we can prove that decommissioning is running “The government sees Cumbria as a strategic Energus. smoothly and that we can clean up successfully,” part of the nuclear, and indeed the country’s, Last year, local stakeholders, including Hudson points out. He believes West Cumbria is entire energy future – which is maybe different regeneration, politicians and business figures, at an advantage when it comes to securing new from its position five years ago.” worked together to launch the £2 billion ■ Previous roles: nuclear facilities because of its history, skills Although Sellafield’s reactors have been shut Britain’s Energy Coast regeneration programme. 2005 Dr Hudson base and the predominantly positive way in down, alongside other site operations, the 100- Through a range of projects, this is looking joined the NDA which the industry is viewed there. plus year decommissioning process across the to build on the region’s energy knowledge to leading on To ensure this is achieved, Hudson says development of site is huge – more clean-up work will take place diversify into other technologies such as tidal, that the continued good operation of Sellafield skills and R&D. here than the rest of the UK combined. offshore wind and microgeneration. The aim is and its decommissioning operations will be As befits a business measured in billions, to create employment opportunities and boost crucial, as well as the upgrade of electricity grid ■ Previous roles: a vast range of opportunities exist. The Cumbria’s contribution to the national economy connections. 1992 Dr specialist knowledge needed for large-scale by £800 million over the next 20 years. (For Hudson joined With the Energy Coast programme, new decontamination is evident on site. Perhaps just more on the Energy Coast see pg 17) BNFL’s company nuclear possibilities, a growing decommissioning as interestingly, it is displayed off site too, in the “The Energy Coast initiative is definitely research industry and plans for diverse and greener ever-growing supply chain. achievable and it demonstrates how different laboratory energy, things are looking up in West Cumbria. Westlakes Science and Technology Park is partners are working together to invest, not just later moving to Not a native of the area – although teenage a perfect example of the energy, environment for now, but for the future,” says Hudson. Washington with hiking trips in the Lake District are fondly and technology cluster that regeneration That is the bigger picture: nurturing the company. remembered – Hudson came to work at organisations hope will provide a secure future skills, identifying crossovers and exploiting Sellafield in 2000. The chance to run legacy for the region. opportunities. It’s a subject about which the plants on site lured him back from life on the Home to the NDA, its residents – which Sellafield programme director is passionate. outskirts of Washington DC as an engineering include CH2M Hill, Serco and Fluor – read like a Hudson is chair of Energus, a new world-class and technical manager with British Nuclear Who’s Who of the nuclear industry. centre for industry-related skills. Fuels Limited. Then, when the newly formed

The park is already the UK’s centre of Fusion caught up with him on the eve of its Previous page: Dr Hudson NDA came looking for someone to take charge expertise for all things nuclear and, because 90 much-anticipated opening by Ed Miliband, the speaking at the launch of the new of their technical and skills operations Hudson Energus building. reactors are due to be dismantled worldwide secretary of state for energy and climate change. Opposite page: With Ed Miliband seized the opportunity before moving to his over the next decade, becoming a global force “From September, we’ll have 50 full-time at the opening of Energus. current role of Sellafield programme director. could be the next step. students from the University of Cumbria There are seemingly no regrets for swapping “We are facing the toughest of challenges studying a variety of courses, train up to 100 the US for West Cumbria. As Hudson very at Sellafield and the lessons learned here can nuclear industry apprentices, offer courses to cheerfully observes: “On a sunny day like today most certainly be exported,” says Hudson. Sellafield employees and open up Energus to it’s as good as anywhere in the world.” And with “The nuclear industry encompasses many other companies and bodies who wish to use it,” that, he is off to prepare for the grand opening transferable skills and professions. Project he enthuses. of Energus. ❍

44 “ The Energy Coast initiative is definitely achievable and demonstrates how different partners are working together to invest, not just for now, but for the future ”

issue three 45 contact

“ Cumbria is a place of extraordinary beauty with enormous potential for the future ”

Contact: Cumbria County Council cumbria.gov.uk Cumbria Vision cumbriavision.co.uk Invest in Cumbria investincumbria.co.uk

For information relating to the work of the delivery boards visit: carlislerenaissance.co.uk westlakesrenaissance.co.uk britainsenergycoast.com

46 “I have spoken at three conferences this year about our experience of winning and closing Croydon and Tunbridge Wells LABVs and I found Socinvest the best by a long way in terms of the quality of both speakers and attendees from different but complementary backgrounds. The debates around key topical issues were well informed and relevant in today’s market.”

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