Port One Technology Park set to create 4,000 jobs and add a massive £3 billion into the local economy

Port One Logistics Park (pictured above), located on a former quarry site in Great Blakenham, has formally submitted the planning application for the next phase of its expansion programme.

The proposed extension marks the beginning of a new chapter for the site, which will be renamed Port One Technology Park to reflect the site’s growing focus on science, technology and high-tech industrial operations alongside commercial logistics.

Key takeaways:

• 4,000 new local jobs;
• £3 billion boost to local GDP;
• A nationally significant site for vertical farming, food production, green energy, AI, and logistics; and
• More than £250 million of global investment has already been committed to the site.

When fully completed, Port One Technology Park is expected to support 4,000 jobs across a wide range of skill levels and sectors.

Phase one of the development is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026 and will create 1,000 full-time roles, with a further 3,000 positions created when phase two is delivered.

More than £250 million has been committed to the site, with investments coming from Europe, the US, and the UK.

Approximately 500 construction workers will also be on site at any one time, providing a further economic uplift during the build programme.

More than 150 different job types are expected to be available, from AI development and plant science, to catering and logistics.

Apprenticeships are already being supported by the developer, Curzon De Vere, and its contracting division, and the park will continue to work closely with local parishes to ensure residents are kept informed of vacancies and training opportunities.

The expanded technology park will host a number of groundbreaking projects in AI, AgriTech and energy, positioning Suffolk at the forefront of future-focused industries.

It will also become the UK’s primary promoter of HGV electrification and biogas dual-fuel systems, supporting the decarbonisation efforts of the Port of Felixstowe and surrounding fleet operators.

The site is set to become a world leader in vertical farming and controlled environment soft fruit production.

Several patents covering advanced technologies in fruit production and related systems are already being processed.

The export potential for this innovation, particularly to the EU and US, is expected to be unrivalled in the UK; with more than 50pc of produce expected to be exported abroad.

The development team is targeting top five status in the national food production sector and this element of Port One alone is expected to create 500 jobs.

Additionally, the park’s substantial power availability offers a unique opportunity to host vital AI data centres, with the first facilities expected to be operational by 2028.

Curzon De Vere, the developer behind Port One, has been advancing the project since 2021 and aims to complete the entire scheme by 2032.

The company already holds an order book in excess of £250m for the site, representing confirmed unit purchases and associated investment.

The park is designed to deliver huge benefits for the local community.

Planned features include a farm café with a seven-day public farmers market showcasing local food producers, a gym and wellness centre, and a cycle and running track dedicated for local residents and site occupiers.

The developer has already delivered a new village hall in Little Blakenham and a country park in Great Blakenham.

A dedicated working committee is being established to support parish priorities, which will initially include the creation of a new local football club facility on a green field site.

Environmental considerations sit at the heart of the proposals.

The development includes on-site solar installations with battery storage and a sustainable drainage system designed to retain and rebed water within the park rather than discharging into public sewers.

Highway improvements, including upgrades to main junctions, will not only accommodate the new development, but also significantly increase overall traffic capacity beyond current levels.

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.”

And Wallace Binder, the chair of Little Blakenham Parish Council, added: “We have worked closely with the developers of Port One and are thrilled about the bright future for our residents who will surely benefit from the number of improvements which will be carried out over and above the standard developer requirements.

“We have seen the generosity of the Curzon De Vere group with their gift of a stunning new village hall in Little Blakenham, the recent completion of which gives us utmost confidence that Curzon De Vere is a developer that delivers on its promises.

“We are also delighted at the multi million-pound proposed road improvements at Junction 52 of the A14, together with further improvements into Claydon that will clear a longstanding traffic issue.”