Work to clear a site to create a industrial hub in West Cumbria has been carried out.
A former skip site in the corner of the Leconfield Industrial Estate in Cleator Moor, has been cleared to pave the way for a 4,000sq m bulding which will be part of the Industrial Solutions Hub.
The organisations behind it estimate it will create 700 jobs over a decade.
The new building is set to be created as part of Enterprising Town, one of four projects that make up the Cleator Moor Town Deal.
Bob Metcalfe, chair of the Cleator Moor Town Deal Board, said: “The area, which was a former skip site, had become an eyesore. Copeland Borough Council took ownership of the Leconfield Industrial Estate last year and wanted to tackle these issues quickly, to benefit the whole community.
“The work to clear this area has gone well and it’s good to be moving forward positively to ready the site for development as part of Enterprising Town – one of four Cleator Moor Town Deal projects which will help the town and its people to thrive into the future.”
The clearance of the former skip site was made possible thanks to development funding linked to the Cleator Moor Town Deal.
Working with Copeland Borough Council, the Cleator Moor Town Deal Board secured an offer of £22.5 million from the Government’s Towns Fund for four ambitious projects designed to transform the future of Cleator Moor. A final decision on the full funding award is awaited from Government.
Cumbria Waste Management, which won the tender from Copeland Borough Council to carry out the work, has completed the site clearance within three weeks.
John Maddison, managing director of iSH, said: “Clearing the site for the future development of the hub building is another important milestone in our plans which will bring opportunity and prosperity to the area.
“The building will represent our wider ethos, as a place for collaboration, where industry, SMEs, research, education and community come together and develop solutions to industry challenges which will make a positive difference to people’s lives and help regenerate communities across West Cumbria.”
