Ellesmere Port has been revealed as one of the 38 areas across England being considered for the government’s new investment zone programme.
Cheshire West and Chester Council confirmed discussions will be taking place between the council and government to agree how this opportunity could be delivered in the borough.
A council spokesperson said initial discussions have focused on the Ellesmere Port industrial zone, as an area of major national and international significance.
They added that there are ambitious plans to decarbonise and help address the climate emergency through a transition to net zero.
It’s thought that investment zone status will help secure significant extra funding to enable this transformation and create new, high-quality, skilled jobs.
The council says the investment zone will build on the collaborative work of public and private sector partners locally to increase inward investment, improve local infrastructure, and strengthen the links with the local community.
For example, a commitment has already been secured from vehicle manufacturer Stellantis to produce a new generation of electric vans in Ellesmere Port.
The area is also at the centre of plans for the hydrogen economy.
The council will be looking into what opportunities an Investment Zone might present to further innovate and grow the Ellesmere Port industrial area, helping fulfil its ambitions for the area.
The council said it will also explore with the government how decision making can be made quickly – but said it will not support any proposals that impact negatively on the rights of workers or the health and safety of the local community.
Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Louise Gittins said: “There are still many details to work through, but we welcome the chancellor’s recognition of the growth potential of our borough.
“We look forward to further discussions with government officials to determine a model for an investment zone that meets the needs of our local economy and our vision of a greener, fairer, stronger borough.”
She added: “I see this as an opportunity to speed our transition to the low carbon economy, securing the investment we need to create more high-quality skilled jobs and support our ambitions for this area to benefit our communities for decades to come.”
