WEST Cumbria is well placed to prosper as one of the UK’s most important energy industry hubs, Business Secretary John Hutton told the launch of the Britain’s Energy Coast™ regeneration programme.

Mr Hutton Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, also told 120 delegates who gathered for the launch at Sellafield Visitors Centre today (Wednesday, July 23) that West Cumbria has a “key role” in helping the UK to tackle climate change and secure future energy supplies.

The Britain’s Energy Coast™ Masterplan is a £2 billion package of regeneration projects that build on the area’s globally important expertise and skills in nuclear to diversify into other innovative energy technologies, such as tidal, off shore wind and microgeneration. Projects* range from attracting a new generation of nuclear power reactors to the Sellafield site and developing new training facilities such as Energus; to a new acute services hospital and significant investment in transport links and leisure, culture and sporting facilities.

In total the Masterplan could create 16,000 jobs and boost Cumbria’s economic performance by £800 million (in terms of Gross Value Added).

Mr Hutton said: “The Britain’s Energy Coast™ Masterplan is rightfully ambitious for West Cumbria. It aims to make the area a dynamic, vibrant place to live and work for decades to come – building on our strengths and preparing us for the future.

“As Britain’s Energy Coast™, West Cumbria has a key role in helping the UK achieve our energy goals of tackling climate change and securing our future energy supplies. And West Cumbria is well placed to prosper as one of the country’s most important energy industry hubs.

“Our commitment as a Government is to engage with you and help take your vision forward. The leadership you are all showing in the Masterplan gives me confidence that we can together, be optimistic about our future.”

Mr Hutton, who is also MP for Barrow, added: “There is a great prize in front of us. A new generation of high quality, high skill jobs to West and South Cumbria for decades to come. Prosperity and security for our communities. Hope for the future. Cumbria at the heart of a new green revolution in industry and technology.”

Representatives from The Cumbria Partners of the West Cumbria Strategic Forum** who have worked with Government departments to devise the Masterplan welcomed Mr Hutton’s speech. West Lakes Renaissance – the urban regeneration company for Furness and West Cumbria – will lead on the delivery of the Masterplan working alongside economic development agency Cumbria Vision, Copeland and Allerdale borough councils, Cumbria County Council, the Northwest Regional Development Agency and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

Roger Liddle, Chairman of Cumbria Vision, said: “The launch has been a huge success but now the work on delivering our vision for West Cumbria must begin. The Britain's Energy Coast™ Masterplan is a once in a generation opportunity given the Government's new commitments to nuclear power and renewables. Not only will it establish West Cumbria as an international player in energy but it will also improve services for local communities to ensure it is a superb place to live and relax as well as work and learn. These are exciting times for Cumbria. Britain’s Energy Coast™, along with The Waterfront Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle Renaissance, shows that real momentum is gathering behind the push to build a better future for the County.”

Bob Pointing, Chief Executive of West Lakes Renaissance, said: “We are embarking on an exciting journey that will change the face of West Cumbria for the better. Today’s launch event is the culmination of several years of hard work by partners in West Cumbria and I am proud that West Lakes Renaissance has played a central role in this process. We are now looking forward to continuing the work on the ground and ensure we build a thriving economy for future generations.”

Cllr Tony Markley, Cumbria County Council's cabinet member responsible for economic development and regeneration, said "Cumbria County Council is pleased and proud to support the launch of Britain's Energy Coast™ in West Cumbria. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform an entire area and the benefits of this major regeneration project will not just be felt in West Cumbria, but in the whole of Cumbria, the North West region and the UK. The Energy Coast project is not just about the nuclear industry, it will have major benefits for education, health, housing, transport, tourism and leisure."

Councillor Margaret Jackson, Deputy Leader of Allerdale Borough Council said: “Allerdale Borough Council is proud to support the launch of the Britain’s Energy Coast™ Masterplan and is keen for the borough to play an instrumental role in its future implementation. The actions arising as a result of implementing the masterplan will aim to secure the economic future of West Cumbria. Actions will include skills and new technologies as well as securing new sustainable investment following the decommissioning activities at the Sellafield site. This is an exciting time to be involved in the future development of the West Cumbrian economy.”

Fergus McMorrow, Director of Development at Copeland Borough Council, said: “The launch of Britain’s Energy Coast™ is a major landmark for the future of West Cumbria. Delivering the Energy Coast™ requires a massive commitment and a lot of hard work. Copeland Borough Council is confident that this work will build on the collaboration that has already taken place, by all West Cumbrian partners and the Government. Working together, we have developed and signed up to the vision to create Britain’s Energy Coast™. We are delighted to welcome Rt Hon John Hutton MP to launch the Energy Coast, who by doing so reaffirms the Government’s commitment. We look forward to working together to deliver economic and social prosperity.”

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency, said: "West Cumbria enjoys world-class expertise in the nuclear industry and the Masterplan spells out a clear vision for the future as to how the area can build upon that reputation and drive it forward to secure long term economic and social regeneration. Supporting business, creating jobs and improving skills are key priorities for the NWDA and the Masterplan will assist us in furthering these ambitions in West Cumbria working with all the key partners.”

For more information on Britain’s Energy Coast™ visit the new website www.britain’senergycoast.com.

* Projects in the Britain’s Energy Coast™ Masterplan include;

■ The Dalton Cumbria Facility (Manchester University)
■ National Nuclear Laboratory
■ Energus (formerly the Nuclear Academy)
■ University of Cumbria expansion into West Cumbria
■ A new £100 million acute hospital, with research and teaching facilities, which will build on West Cumbria’s existing strengths in toxicology, radiation and epidemiology
■ A new nuclear power station at the Sellafield site
■ Enterprise support for local businesses and enterprise training in schools
■ Improvements to schools and the establishment of new academies totalling more than £200 million
■ The creation of new, and improvements to an array of existing employment sites (link to employment sites)
■ Public realm investment in West Cumbrian towns
■ A total of £80 million in Housing Market Renewal
■ Long term programme of strategic transport improvements, including the A66 (the main link between the M6 and West Cumbria); the Cumbria Coast Railway; and improved connections between the line and the West Coast Mainline.
■ £50 million worth of development of cultural, sporting and leisure facilities
■ New tourism facilities, including a hotel in Whitehaven
■ Improvements to the marinas in Whitehaven, Workington and Maryport

** The Cumbria Partners of the West Cumbria Strategic Forum. Members of the forum are; Nuclear Decommissioning Authority; Northwest Regional Development Agency; North West Regional Assembly; North West Universities Association; Cumbria Vision; West Lakes Renaissance; Invest in Cumbria; Cumbria Learning and Skills Council; Business Link Cumbria; Cumbria Tourism; Cumbria County Council; Allerdale Borough Council; Copeland Borough Council; The Private Business Sector; Sellafield Trade Unions; West Cumbria Strategic Partnership; West Cumbria Business Cluster; West Cumbria Industry Group; Professor John Fyfe; Tony Cunningham MP; Jamie Reed MP

The West Cumbria Leaders come together to celebrate the launch


Tony Cunningham MP for Workington addresses the Britain's Energy Coast launch at Sellafield Visitors Centre


John Hutton, Secretary of State for Business, Enterrpise and Regulatory Reform outlines his hopes for Britain's Energy Coast


Networking at the partner exhibition


A new logo and branding was also revealed at the launch


Jamie Reed MP for Copeland and Chair of the Cumbria Partners; John Hutton, who is also MP for Barrow; and Tony Cunningham MP for Workington and Vice Chair of the Cumbria Patrners

Proff John Fyfe - international strategist; partnerships specialist and Cumbria Vision Board member talks of the importance of strong working relations

Luke Dicicco, PR & Communications Manager for Cumbria Vision and West Lakes Renaissance, responsible for project managing the launch, meets John Hutton MP