Advance Northumberland have reached a significant milestone in the redevelopment of the former Blyth Power Station Enterprise Zone in Blyth.
The contract to undertake the ground works and dock extension has been awarded to Farrans Building and Civil Engineering, following a competitive tender process.
Since acquiring the site Advance Northumberland have made significant progress over the last 18 months including securing funding, obtaining planning permission and finding a main contractor to undertake the programme of work. The main purpose of this activity is to attract investment to bring the site back into use, creating new jobs and boosting the local and regional economy. The infrastructure investment and clean-up works will assist greatly in the attraction of private sector investors to this difficult brownfield site that has been standing derelict since 2003. Despite these challenges, the site is also recognised regionally as having many strategic strengths, enhanced by its designation as an Enterprise Zone.
Farrans have commenced essential security and environmental works on the site, following which the priority will be the remediation of the main site which will involve substantial earth works, removing any contamination and levelling the site, temporary drainage and the creation of an ecological area. The dock modification works are due to commence during the summer and will involve the widening of the existing dock, excavation of materials and dredging. The works are expected to take 18 months to complete.
Farrans will be holding a “Meet the Contractor” event at Cambois Primary School in March. At this event there will be information available on the works, phases of activity, with members from the Farran’s team available to answer any questions.
Cllr Richard Wearmouth, Chair of Advance Northumberland said: “It’s great to have reached this latest stage of redevelopment of this key strategic site in the county.
“A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes over the past 18 months to allow us to reach this stage. We can now look forward to significant progress being made to give this derelict land the new lease of life it deserves and attracting investors to the area.”
Farrans Regional Director for Civil Engineering in England, Neil Barnes, commented: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract for the first phase of Northumberland Energy Park.
“This is an exciting project which will bolster the economic prosperity of the Northumberland region – both during the construction phase and in the years ahead.
Having enjoyed a presence in the North East for some years, as well as carrying out a wealth of marine and remediation sector projects across the UK, we look forward to drawing upon this knowledge and experience on-site in the months ahead”.
The project received £4,440,736 from the Government’s Local Growth Deal through the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The Local Growth Deal is supporting major capital investments to promote innovation, economic and skills infrastructure and sustainable transport as part of the North East Growth Deal.
If you have any queries please call 01670 528 486 or visit Advance Northumberland
