[N]orthern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry MP visited Penrith last night (Thursday 18 January 2018) to announce that Eden District is part of the Borderlands Growth Deal.
The Minister was in the region to meet with local authorities who will be part of this cross border growth deal.
Cumbria is included in the deal and businesses, Councillors and Council officers were at Penrith Town Hall to hear from Jake Berry MP, about the largest growth deal yet planned by government, which stretches along the both sides of the Scottish border from coast to coast.
Eden District Council is currently developing a Masterplan for growth and prosperity, which the Minister was shown. The Council’s Masterplan will look to build on opportunities coming forward around Eden District in the future, such as the dualling of the A66 and the new nuclear energy developments on Cumbria’s West Coast.
The Masterplan will also contain plans to improve the District’s road infrastructure including around Penrith. By creating a new route from the A66 towards Junction 41 of the M6, running to the east of Penrith within or close to the Penrith Town Council administrative boundary and then to the north of the town (crossing the A6 at or near Stoneybeck), this would provide an opportunity to reduce congestion at Junction 40 of the M6.
This new route would open up development land around Penrith and create the space needed for higher paid jobs and more housing to sustain the District into the future.
Eden District Council Leader, Councillor Kevin Beaty, who welcomed the Northern Powerhouse Minister to Penrith, said: “Jake Berry MP told us that rural growth will be at the heart of the Borderlands Growth Deal so Eden’s Pathfinder Food Enterprise Zones could be just the start of a period of increased economic activity in the District.”
“New businesses such as Cows and Co in Appleby will be able to benefit from this deal. They have plans to export dairy products to new markets outside the EU and create new jobs in Appleby.”
Rob Johnston, the Chief Executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce also attended the meeting. He said: “We have been working in partnership with Eden District Council to support local businesses through the Growth Hub. Eden has a history of creating exciting new businesses and the new Borderlands Growth Deal will help them to expand into a wider area.”
Councillor Kevin Beaty added: “The new Borderlands Growth Deal will support projects to develop the economy across a huge area with access to 10 million people. Eden District Council is ready to take advantage of this huge opportunity.”
Attending the meeting with the Northern Powerhouse Minster were:
- Councillor Paula Breen, Eden District Council’s Resources Portfolio Holder
- Councillor Adrian Todd, Eden District Council’s Services Portfolio Holder
- Rob Johnston, Chief Executive, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce
- Laura Kay from Rory Stewart MP’s office
- Councillor Scott Jackson, Mayor of Penrith
- Pete Crouch Cows and Co. Appleby
- Maurice Walton Cows and Co. Appleby
- Councillor David Whipp, Cumbria County Council – Eden Local Committee Chairman
For more information about economic development and business support services in Eden District visit www.investineden.co.uk or call 01768 817817.
