Advanced manufacturing and engineering centre takes step forward

Plans for a project aimed at supporting a key growth area in West Suffolk and beyond by delivering an advanced manufacturing and engineering centre has taken a step forward.

West Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council are working together to kick start a scheme which would benefit businesses across Suffolk.

This had previously stalled due to external pressures on costs such as inflation, Brexit, the Ukraine war and increases in utility costs, as well as the need for funding agreements to be reached with the Local Enterprise Partnership which was being disbanded as part of new government rules.

Now West Suffolk Council Cabinet has agreed plans for the initiative to reach the next planning gateway stage (stage 4) with an investment of £450,000 – split evenly between West Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council. This will make sure the plans are robust for the centre to go forward for planning and construction.

Suffolk County Council has taken over the duties of the Local Enterprise Partnership with the creation of the new Business Board. Both councils have been working on a plan to bridge the gap in funding and are working towards a decision in Autumn.

According to 2022 data, this is a key growth area for West Suffolk as 9.2 per cent of employees work in manufacturing in the district compared to 7.5 per cent nationally. The median wage in this sector is 11 per cent higher than the national median wage. In addition, businesses have indicated the need for such a centre and facilities.

The business case for this project was originally approved at council in December 2021. This included the allocation of a £12.1 million capital budget funded from the Investing in Growth Fund through prudential borrowing.

This included the purchase of 6.8 acres of land at Suffolk Business Park which has already taken place to develop an 80,000 sq ft AME Centre in two phases. The first phase of the centre includes:

• Self-contained but linked, flexible workshop units.
• A Hub building with, meeting rooms, offices, facilities and administration management, and a café.
• Car parking, landscaping, HGV access.
• Opportunity for business support and networking events for the wider AME community.

The financial case included details of the way this project was to be funded with an annual income from the Suffolk Park Enterprise Zone (EZ) over a 25 year (total) lifetime. However, due to external pressures beyond the control of the council and effecting all public services those costs have continued to grow and therefore it has established a budget of £15.1 million is likely to deliver the project.