The plans detail further extensions to the park, marking the next phase to create 4,000 new local jobs and add £3bn to the local economy
Port One Technology Park, when completed, will feature research and innovation focused primarily on vertical farming and food production, as well as green energy, AI, and logistics.
Phase 1 of the project is scheduled to be finished by the end of next year.
500 workers will be on site
It is expected that during construction, 500 construction workers will be on site at any time, and apprenticeships are being supported by Curzon De Vere, the chief contractor working on the project.
Local parishes will be informed of when vacancies and training opportunities on site open up.
The plans also feature a farm café, a public farmers market, a gym, wellness centre, and a cycle and running track.
Matthew Slater, the managing director of Curzon De Vere, said: “We have been working on this planning application for five years and it is one of the most detailed we have ever produced.
“It addresses ecology, transport and every technical aspect required and we are confident that Port One Technology Park will become a truly unique development.
“This scheme has the potential to be transformative for the region, with 4,000 people eventually working on site and an estimated £3 billion GDP contribution.
“For a rural district, this level of economic uplift is game changing and will put more money into local people’s pockets.”
Massive park projects are being given the go-ahead
In the effort to clear the way for major infrastructure projects under the Plan for Change, permission has been granted for several projects focusing on technology or innovation.
One of these is Tillbridge Solar Farm, in Lincolnshire, which received planning permission in October. Covering more than 1,200 hectares, the project is expected to be able to produce enough energy to power 300,000 homes per year at a capacity of 500MW.
Tillbridge received many complaints and protests about the project, as concerns are raised about diminishing the countryside with larger constructions.
One chief critic, Roger Mortlock, chief executive of the countryside charity CPRE, said: “The approval of a mega solar farm covering an area of high-quality farmland the size of Heathrow Airport highlights a deeply concerning trend: industrialising the countryside with ground-mounted solar while too many rooftops remain unused.
“We don’t need mega solar farms in the countryside.
“Previous CPRE research has shown that installing solar panels on the roofs of suitable domestic and industrial buildings, as well as on car parks, could easily deliver over 60% of the government’s target for solar energy.”
Chief executive of Tribus Clean Energy, Luke Murray, said: “We’re delighted to have confirmation that Tillbridge Solar has been granted consent, and we can’t wait for the project to start delivering clean energy for people across the UK.
“As we head to construction, we’re committed to continuing our work with local communities to ensure the project is delivered in a way which respects and works with the area.”
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