336-acre sustainable urban extension scheme in Skegness gains approval
Plans to transform part of the East Lincolnshire coast have taken an important step forward, following unilateral approval of the 336-acre sustainable urban extension scheme in Skegness.
The news, delivered Wednesday 20 March at an executive meeting of East Lindsey District Council in Horncastle, means the town is on the cusp of receiving more than £300 million in economic benefits, delivering hundreds of local jobs.
Projections undertaken by the Gateway team showcase the scheme will deliver employment benefits of £289.7 million, £20.5 million and £16 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) measurability for commercial, industrial and retail sector jobs.
The proposed Local Development Order is seeking to expedite the delivery of up to 1,000 new homes and more than 49 acres of combined business, industrial and community space.
Situated to the west of the town, on land principally owned by Croftmarsh, with additional areas owned by the Scarbrough family, the Skegness Gateway scheme is set to breathe new life into an area of the Lincolnshire coast that drastically needs change in order to secure its future, boosting the local economy and providing the education and jobs for local people that will encourage them to stay in the area.
Sue Bowser of Croftmarsh said: “This is a milestone moment for the people of Skegness and an important step in revitalising our town and community. It is a pathway for people to carve a real future in the town, with employment, skills and learning opportunities all situated within one site, connected by an ambition to restore Skegness at the heart of East Midlands economic investment.
“Having farmed the land at Croftmarsh for 30 years, it was always hoped that it could eventually be used for development. Now, it’s a chance for prospective consultants, developers and investors to look more closely at our plans and be a part of transforming Skegness’ future. It will become a new home for thousands of families, a place of ambition and prosperity, with a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
As part of the proposals, the Skegness Gateway site also includes provision for a new crematorium, 78 acres of green open space, supported living options and a new local centre.
The scheme has garnered wide stakeholder and public support since its launch three years ago, following a series of engagement sessions and appearances at local community events.
Last November, it was described by Matt Warman, MP for Boston and Skegness as a catalyst to ‘allow people to gain the skills and knowledge they need to get the jobs they want.’ The scheme was also mentioned in the House of Commons as offering a ‘significant boon to local NHS services.’
Enabling works on the new Skegness TEC college, which is situated on the Skegness Gateway site, is already underway, following planning permission being granted in February last year.
Adrian Clarke, group vice principal for corporate services at TEC Partnership, said: “The new campus will provide fantastic opportunities for the local community to undertake courses in further and higher education and develop the skills the area needs for its future.”
Chris Baron, chair at Connected Coast, said: “We are seeing unprecedented investment in Skegness which is supporting the delivery of aspirational and transformational projects.
“The Skegness Gateway represents a further and significant opportunity to create much-needed facilities for the area and enhance Skegness for people who live and visit here.
“Together the opportunities, interventions, and investment – which includes the Towns Fund and the recently announced Long Term Plan for Towns – will bring long-term, sustainable benefits for Skegness which will be felt for generations to come.”
Councillor Steve Kirk, East Lindsey District Council portfolio holder for coastal economy, said: “I am delighted to see another positive step taken towards delivering this transformational piece of investment to Skegness and East Lindsey as a whole.
“By supporting these plans, we are helping to create new jobs, new education and skills development options, new homes and new opportunities for businesses and the local economy. This is yet another example that shows Skegness is a great place to live, work, play and invest.
“Alongside our ongoing Towns Fund and Levelling Up projects, the positive impact of these developments will be felt for generations to come, and I look forward to continuing to see them become a reality in the months and years ahead.”
South Yorkshire’s Mayor becomes first Northern Mayor to sign UK steel charter
Oliver Coppard has become the first Metro Mayor in the North to sign up to the UK Steel Charter.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor signed the charter at Sheffield Forgemasters on Tuesday 19 March, alongside the South Yorkshire Business Advisory Board, in a move to promote UK-made steel in the region and help bring growth to South Yorkshire.
As Mayor for a region with Sheffield’s ‘Steel City’ at its core Mayor Coppard said that it was his priority to bring growth to the region and that there were “huge opportunities” for South Yorkshire.
South Yorkshire’s newly established Business Advisory Board is committed to growing the local economy and driving business growth. It is made up of some of region’s brightest and best business leaders, who work together with the Mayor to challenge, champion success, and ensure the business voice is heard loud and clear.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “South Yorkshire is the spiritual home of the steel industry. We were the first place to mass produce steel, we powered the first industrial revolution, and we’re now home to the world’s first advanced manufacturing district.
“Now, as the Mayor of South Yorkshire, I’m determined to restore the pride, purpose and prosperity of South Yorkshire. By signing the UK’s Steel Charter we are not just recognising our heritage, we are committing to bringing high-quality, good jobs and growth to our region, right across our region.
“Advanced manufacturing, making the materials and the machines that will power our country forward, is South Yorkshire’s lodestar, the future of our communities and our economy. That’s why it’s not just important but vital that we commit to the UK’s Steel Charter.
“It’s all the better to do so here at Sheffield Forgemasters, a company that is so central to that brighter future for both steel and South Yorkshire that we all want to see.”
The Steel Charter, first set up in 2019, supports the UK steel industry in its efforts to change the way it procures steel to include more domestic products.
Tariq Shah, Co-Chair of the Business Advisory Board, said: “Signing the UK Steel Charter underlines the Mayor’s and the Business Advisory Board’s commitment to growing South Yorkshire’s economy and supporting local businesses and supply chains.
“Our mission is to play a pivotal role in capitalising on the positive momentum in South Yorkshire, driving business success nationally and internationally. Today’s meeting with Sheffield Forgemasters and UK Steel has highlighted the huge importance of South Yorkshire steel to the local and national economy and to wider supply chains.”
The charter encourages signatories – government administrations, local authorities and private sector – to publicly signal their commitment to using UK steel in major projects.
UK steelmakers could supply industries such as energy, transport, and construction, with steel worth up to £3.8billion a year by 2030. The UK’s steel sector employs 39,800 people directly and supports a further 50,000 in supply chains.
UK Steel Director General, Gareth Stace, said: “This is a triple boost of support as Mayor Coppard, the South Yorkshire Business Advisory Board and the Combined Authority join the UK Steel Charter.
“Today’s support is even more poignant as the Charter is signed in Sheffield, the historical home of the UK steel industry.
“With major support from these business leaders, the economy and thousands of jobs in South Yorkshire and throughout the UK will reap benefits from purchasing steel that is made, processed, and delivered here in Britain.
“Why expose your project to the whims of unpredictable global supply chains, when you have the option of a reliable local business to partner with, throughout the lifetime of your project. Using UK steel is quite simply a win-win for everyone.”
Sheffield Forgemasters Chief Executive Officer, Gary Nutter, said: “The UK Steel Charter signing at Sheffield Forgemasters is timely, as we progress with substantial recapitalisation of our site to secure defence supply for decades to come.
“This company is testament to the importance of British steel production and our skills base is unique, which is why the business was acquired by the Ministry of Defence in 2021.
“As global instability shows itself through energy challenges, it is critical that we reflect on the security of domestic manufacturing capabilities.”
The UK Steel Charter is a commitment that shows how the South Yorkshire Mayor, Combined Authority and Business Advisory Board aim to change procurement processes to include more UK-made steel and support the economy.
The Charter enables government departments, devolved administrations, local authorities, and private organisations, to publicly signal their commitment to using UK steel in major projects.
Slime company grows into larger Barnsley premises
A specialist toy slime manufacturer has upsized its operations in South Yorkshire with a move to larger premises in Barnsley, with plans to increase its workforce by two thirds. Novelty sensory putty retailer Slime Party UK has taken 14,291 sq ft of industrial and warehousing space at Unit 19 Redbrook Business Park in Barnsley.The expanding business had outgrown its existing unit on Industry Road in Carlton, Barnsley, and is now using its new base to manufacture and distribute its range of 16 collectible sensory putties. Agents Knight Frank, acting for landlord Industrials, secured the new unit for Slime Party UK, which was started in the town in 2018 by Ruby Sheldon, and has since manufactured more than 800,000 pots of putty to customers worldwide.Ruby Sheldon said: “I set up Slime Party UK after the craze hit the UK in 2017 and my kids were trying to make it. I then devised a special compound for our products which means there’s the fun of slime, without the mess. “Since then our business has grown. In 2022 there were three staff, now its 16 and the move will bring 10 new jobs later this summer.“Our former unit in Carlton had become too small and this new base offers racking space, the offices we need, further recruitment plans and allows easy access for distribution.”Slime Party UK supplies toy shops and stores across the world including Fenwicks, British Garden Centres and Toytown with the most distant clients being 13 toy megastores in The Lebanon.Kitty Hendrick, surveyor in the Knight Frank Sheffield office, said: ‘We are delighted to have let Unit 19 Redbrook Business Park to Slime Party UK. This is a positive story, where a local Barnsley business is expanding into bigger premises, and great for the local economy. “It highlights again the sustained and strong demand for small to mid-sized industrial units in Barnsley and across South Yorkshire, underpinned by the lack of supply in the region.”Councillor Robin Franklin, Cabinet spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture at Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, said: “It’s amazing news that Slime Party have expanded into larger premises within Barnsley.“This is a fantastic story of a local entrepreneur finding success on an international scale with a unique product that children around the world have enjoyed hours of fun with.“We’re proud that our award-winning Enterprising Barnsley team have played a part in helping along the way. We’ll remain on hand to provide any additional support they need.“We wish Ruby and everyone at Slime Party the best moving forward.”The Mayor of Barnsley Cllr James Stowe will officially open the new Slime Party UK base in April.
Energy from waste plant marks tenth operational anniversary
Ten years into a 25-year contract with operators FCC Environment, Lincolnshire’s Energy from Waste facility in North Hykeham near Lincoln has cut the amount of the county’s waste going to landfill by around 93 percent, converting it into enough energy to power 27,000 homes across the county.
The plant’s General Manager Juergen Schaper said: “We are extremely proud to have reached this very significant milestone. Ten years diverting waste from landfill and converting to energy is a real achievement for Lincolnshire. We are focused on continuing to exceed performance expectations in our successful partnership with the Council as we carry on creating valuable electricity, jobs and community support for the county.”
Andy Gutherson, the council’s Executive Director of Place said: “We look forward to our future as we process more waste and generate more energy for the benefit of the local community.
“The presence of the facility in the county has a number of positive implications: reducing non-recyclable waste being sent to landfill by around 93 percent and producing power to supply 27,000 homes. These environmentally-friendly and cost-saving results make a real difference for the people of Lincolnshire.”
Lincolnshire County Council and FCC Environment work with the seven district councils across Lincolnshire, which make the initial collection of both recyclable and non-recyclable waste from the county’s homes and businesses, diverting only the non-recyclable waste from landfill to the EfW plant for processing.
The site is equipped to treat up to 190,000 tonnes of residual waste each year, converting it into 13.1 MW of electricity. The EfW plant has now processed 1.780 million tonnes of waste, producing 830,000 MWh of energy for the National Grid to provide essential power for more than 27,000 homes throughout the county.
In addition to the energy produced, the waste treatment process has also produced around 215,000 tonnes of incinerator bottom ash. This material contains metal which can be extracted and aggregate which can be used in the construction of roads.
As well as the environmental benefits for Lincolnshire, the North Hykeham plant is expected to save the county council about £30m over the lifetime of the contract by drastically cutting the waste which would have otherwise gone to landfill from 180,000 tonnes per annum to only 12,000 tonnes.
Harrogate needs joint approach to boost prosperity, say business owners
Business owners and tourism leaders have said a joint approach to boosting economic growth and the visitor economy will be vital to the future of Harrogate.
It’s a key focus of North Yorkshire Council’s economic development and tourism teams, who want to take advantage of the benefits of initiatives such as the recently created York and North Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership and the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Corporate director of community development is Nic Harne, who said: “Harrogate is recognised across the country and beyond as a jewel in North Yorkshire’s crown, a place not only to do business, but a base to experience the best in events and festivals.
“Thanks to the hard work of those who work in business and the visitor economy, allied to the knowhow of our economic development and tourism teams, the town is well-placed to exploit future opportunities.”
Figures from Visit North Yorkshire, the region’s destination management organisation, show that hotel occupancy in 2023 was up 10 per cent to 78.7 per cent when compared with the previous year, and revenue per room up 15 per cent to £73.55.
One of the people at the heart of the visitor economy is the chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, Sharon Canavar. She said: “Last year the arts charity delivered 100 events which attracted more than 90,000 people. Tourism and live events are incredibly important to Harrogate.
“From Spiegeltent, a unique pop-up, mirrored venue to the world-renowned Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Carnival to community events, there is a host of live events that drive footfall to our town, booking hotel rooms and spending in the local economy.
“We buy over 1,500 hotel bedrooms in the town from the Harrogate International Festivals office alone for this event, with many more of our visitors booking independently into a host of bed and breakfasts and private accommodation. “The spend for this event alone is huge; bars, restaurants and shops are full and the feedback we receive from retail is incredibly positive.”The Harrogate Chamber of Commerce works closely with businesses across the town to help them to thrive and boost their opportunities.
Its chief executive, Martin Mann, said: “The Chamber benefits hugely from the optimism of and professionalism of those around us in Harrogate.
“From the arts and culture brought to us by the Harrogate Theatre and Harrogate International Festivals to the conferences hosted in the Convention Centre, Harrogate has plenty to be proud of.”
Shorts appoints financial advisor to its wealth management team
Financial services specialist Shorts has appointed Joseph Tighe to its Wealth Management Team as Financial Adviser.
Partner Simon Hollin said: “Joseph’s appointment marks a welcome addition to our advisory team, enabling us to continue our business development and expansion over the coming years.”
Joseph added: “Shorts have a long established and proven reputation for excellence, and I am very excited to join their talented Wealth Management team. I look forward to developing the role and playing a part in Shorts’ continued growth.”
Established in 1890 and with offices in Sheffield and Chesterfield, Shorts provides financial services, whilst also offering accountancy and taxation services through Shorts Chartered Accountants.
Uniper and Phillips 66 sign agreement for green hydrogen production at Killingholme
Uniper and Phillips 66 Limited have agreed to work together on a project to produce electrolytic hydrogen at its Killingholme site by 2029.
The Humber H2ub® (Green) project includes plans for an initial electrolytic hydrogen production capacity of up to 120 MW, with the potential for future expansion. The green hydrogen production facility would be developed as part of Uniper’s wider aspirations for the Killingholme Energy Transformation Hub. Uniper and Phillips 66 Limited have signed a collaboration agreement to work together towards a supply of green hydrogen from the Humber H2ub® (Green) project to Phillips 66 Limited’s Humber Refinery from 2029. The hydrogen would be used to replace refinery fuel gas in industrial-scale fired heaters, as part of Phillips 66 Limited’s plans to reduce the Humber Refinery’s scope 1 operational emissions. Hydrogen production is a key pillar of Uniper’s strategy, and our aim is to build more than 1 GW of electrolyser capacity across the business by 2030. The Humber H2ub® (Green) project development and the supply agreement with Phillips 66 Limited are subject to financial investment approval from Uniper’s and Phillips 66 Limited’s management, and several pre-conditions that would have to be satisfied; including securing the necessary planning consents and environmental permit, agreement on terms for the hydrogen offtake and a Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreement with the UK Government. Guy Phillips, Team Lead, Business Development Hydrogen, UK for Uniper, said: “The Humber H2ub® (Green) project is a key part of Uniper’s hydrogen ambitions in the UK and we’re pleased to be collaborating on it with Phillips 66 Limited. The Humber region is recognised as the UK’s most carbon intensive industrial region and hydrogen will be vital in decarbonising and securing the region’s economy. The Humber H2ub® (Green) project could make an important contribution to kick starting the hydrogen economy in the Humber region. “Our Killingholme site is ideally placed with excellent utilities infrastructure. It has the potential to support the UK’s hydrogen and decarbonisation ambitions, creating new high-skilled employment opportunities and ensuring the site continues to make a valuable contribution to the regional economy.” Duncan Hammond, Humber’s Decarbonisation Projects Manager at Phillips 66 Limited, shared: “We are excited to collaborate with Uniper on their low carbon hydrogen project. Hydrogen refuelling will be a big step in lowering the refinery’s emissions as we evolve with the energy transition. Energy security is vital for the UK.Utilising technologies such as low carbon hydrogen produced by electrolysis and also carbon capture will enable us to continue to produce essential products for the transport sector and supply chain, some of which are used in the production of electric vehicle batteries, wind turbine blades, pharmaceuticals and much more. We believe hydrogen will attract new industry, protect jobs, and develop the local economy.”CPI reduction should be built on to get economy back into gear, says FSB
Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair, Federation of Small Businesses says any easing in inflation brings relief to small firms, and the reported drop is a step towards reducing interest rates by the summer.
But she added it was important not to discount the cumulative damage done to small businesses’ margins and cash reserves by inflation having been so high for so long.
“With the fall reported today driven largely by falling food prices for consumers, the hope is that this will ease some of the pressures on household budgets, to the eventual benefit of small firms in consumer-facing sectors.
“Small firms ended last year with a decrease in confidence levels, indicating that this first quarter would be tricky in many respects. However, many of the key economic indicators published so far have been a slight improvement compared with 2023, giving rise to a feeling of cautious optimism.
“In order for any optimism to be nurtured, the promising start signalled by the increase in the VAT threshold to £90,000, the announcement on apprenticeships from the start of the week, and the business rate relief for small firms in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors should be built on.
“What unites these growth-promoting measures is that they are targeted where they will have the most impact: on small firms, who are the ones with the potential to expand and kick the economic recovery into a higher gear.
“Measures to ensure employment levels are maintained and improved are also needed. Wage inflation has eroded the Employment Allowance’s relative value, underlining the need for it to be uprated, especially with the impending rise in the National Living Wage. This will help small employers keep people in work, and to grow their workforce.
“Politicians and policymakers should remember that small firms have been the driving force behind our recovery from past recessions, and this time around it’ll be no different, if they are given the right conditions to start up, scale up, and prosper.”
Full planning application submitted for new stadium for Sheffield FC and Sheffield Eagles Rugby League Club
Sheffield FC, The World’s First football club, and Sheffield Eagles, the city’s professional rugby league club, have submitted a full planning application to Sheffield City Council outlining plans for a 5,000-capacity inclusive community stadium.
The new stadium, which will be based at the former Sheffield Transport Sports Club site at Meadowhead, will see a partnership forged between Sheffield Eagles and Sheffield FC.
The ambitious community stadium will encompass professional football and rugby league facilities as well as a cricket pavilion, multi-use artificial sports pitches, a football museum and an indoor community sports hall.
It is planned that the stadium development scheme will be a fully inclusive community destination for sport and physical activity. Long-term commercial viability will be achieved by maximising public access and community use through health and well-being activities, educational programmes, social and other community events. In addition, park-and-ride facilities will be available within the development.
The proposed 5,000-capacity stadium will meet the highest standards for both Football and Rugby League, adhering to both Football League and Super League criteria.
The destination will enable Sheffield Eagles and Sheffield FC to consolidate their full range of sporting, educational, community and cultural activities on the purpose-built site. In addition to both club’s men’s and women’s teams, Sheffield Eagles Wheelchair, Learning Disability and Physical Disability teams will all be based at the complex, which will allow the club to further develop homegrown talent and provide a base for both clubs’ extensive community programmes. The development will also generate highway improvements and cycleways in the local area.
Chairman of Sheffield FC Richard Tims said: “This development will not be just another shared rugby and football ground. It will be a new destination for Sheffield Eagles and ‘The World’s First Football Club’ Sheffield FC.
“Whilst the site will be grounded firmly in the unique history and heritage of both clubs, including Sheffield’s status as the ‘Home of Football’, it will also be an exciting destination for sport, physical activity, business, educational, cultural, and other events that will attract local, regional, national, and international audiences.
“We plan on creating a vibrant destination on both the days when Sheffield Eagles and Sheffield FC teams are playing in the stadium, as well as on non-match days through a busy diary of community, social and other activities such as conferences and meetings, functions and cultural activities.
“We want to create a destination that attracts and grows the supporter bases of both Sheffield Eagles and Sheffield FC, as well as drawing local communities and visitors to the various events and activities throughout the year.
“The stadium has the potential to generate positive economic development, social, and community impacts for the visitor economy of Sheffield and the wider City Region by attracting additional expenditure as well as raising the profile of sport in Sheffield in the UK and internationally.”
Sheffield Eagles Director of Rugby Mark Aston said: “We’re very excited to have reached the milestone of submitting our planning permission application for the development of the Meadowhead site which will give us the facilities we need to not only achieve our ambitions to return to Super League, but also to give us a base from which to grow our already extensive community programme.
“The feedback from both sets of fans and networks of sponsors has been overwhelmingly positive and everyone sees the potential of both clubs being unlocked with the facilities which are being planned for, which will be world-class.
“We have also had very positive feedback from our governing body, the Rugby Football League, who are supportive of our plans and see how the development can benefit both the Rugby League in Sheffield and on a national basis.
“It’s a great piece of news to kick off our 40th Anniversary Year with and we look forward to continuing our work with Sheffield FC on the next stage of the project.”
About turn after 24 hours: HMRC halts plans for on line DIY tax advice
Changes to HM Revenue and Customs’ helpline services announced only yesterday are being halted after a wave of negative feedback.
HMRC wants to encourage people to get tax advice online, but is now halting its plans in response to the feedback while it engages with its stakeholders about how to ensure all taxpayers’ needs – including small businesses – are met.
HMRC Chief Executive Jim Harra said the pace of change needed to match the public appetite for managing tax affairs on line. He said: “We’ve listened to the feedback and we’re halting the helpline changes as we recognise more needs to be done to ensure all taxpayers’ needs are met, whilst also encouraging them to transition to online services.”
The changes to the Self Assessment, VAT and PAYE helplines announced by HMRC will all be halted while HMRC engages with stakeholders. This means the phone lines will remain open between April and September.
HMRC will continue encouraging customers to self-serve where possible and access the information they need more quickly and easily by going online or to the HMRC app, which is available 24/7.
