Gateway to new business opportunities in Heysham

South Heysham is identified as a Regeneration Priority Area in the Lancaster District Core Strategy, and it is now being marketed as an attractive place for companies to do business.

Lancaster City Council, which owns much of the land in this area, is marketing Heysham Gateway as “particularly suitable for development related to the energy sector and to logistics uses associated with the port as well as general industrial development”.

A Local Plan for Lancaster District is currently being developed, and policies contained in the Preferred Options version of the plan, published in 2012, are designed to develop or improve the whole Heysham Energy Coast area, Heysham Nuclear Power Station, Heysham Port, the former Pontins site and south Heysham Nature Reserves.

A marketing document for the Heysham Gateway identifies potential development opportunities, with up to 30,000 sq ft of sites and business units available within a mile of the Port of Heysham. It sells the opportunities on the back of the Bay Gateway dramatically reducing travel time to and from Heysham and Morecambe, which will “enhance development and investment into the area stimulating economic growth”.

Coun Janice Hanson, cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration and planning, said: “The opening of the Bay Gateway is a fantastic boost for the local economy. As a “Regeneration Priority Area”, South Heysham is in a good position to capitalise on the road’s completion and become a prime site for investment and development. Heysham Gateway already contains the expanding Port of Heysham, a key route to Ireland, the two EDF owned nuclear power stations and large areas of land available for employment generating development.

“Its location next to Morecambe Bay also provides opportunities to enhance the local environment. Heysham Gateway, therefore, offers a rare opportunity to promote genuinely sustainable economic growth.

“The city council is working with other landowners, local businesses and other stakeholders to promote the comprehensive regeneration of the area and to jointly market this unique opportunity.”