Last updated 17:59, Wednesday, 23 July 2008

COPELAND and the rest of West Cumbria is on the crest of a wave from an Energy Coast masterplan which will transform the area forever, predicts government minister John Hutton.

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Cutting edge: Adam Haig of Egremont works on small scale experminental evaporators at Nexia

“The prize is just too good to miss, bringing jobs and prosperity to West Cumbria for decades to come,” said the Secretary of State for Business.

Mr Hutton made the forecast at Sellafield when he launched the West Cumbrian Masterplan, now dubbed Britain’s Energy Coast.

It is a £2 billion package of regeneration projects designed to create 16,000 new jobs and boost Cumbria’s economy by £800 million.

“The masterplan is rightfully ambitious for West Cumbria. It aims to make the area a dynamic, vibrant place to live and work for decades to come.”

On offer, said Copeland’s MP Jamie Reed, was “a future of unprecedented opportunity and prosperity for future generations of West Cumbrians”.

He said it was in the best interests of West Cumbria and Britain as a whole – “a hard-edged practical programme designed to transform West Cumbria”.

Included in the blueprint is:

a £100 million acute hospital for West Cumbria and University of Cumbria expansion into West Cumbria.

£50 million worth of development of cultural, sporting and leisure facilities.

New tourism facilities including a hotel in Whitehaven.

£300 million investment in road improvements, £30 million for the A66, the main link between the M6 and West Cumbria.

£80 million in housing market renewal.

£200 million for school improvements and new academies.

Improvements to rolling stock, stations and railway infrastructure on the West Coast line.

Investment in West Cumbrian towns.

Mr Hutton, who has special responsibility for the country’s energy policy, also announced yesterday that he was launching a competition to run the National Nuclear Laboratory, located at Sellafield on the Nexia site.

“This laboratory will lead on essential nuclear research which is needed to take forward our nuclear ambitions,” he said.

“I hope it will provide a focus for new investment in Cumbria from companies and researchers that wish to take part in and flourish, from the UK’s nuclear renaissance. And it reinforces the international importance of the applied research skills and facilities here at Sellafield.”

West Cumbria was well placed to prosper “as one of the country’s most important energy industrial hubs in terms of skills and expertise”, he said.

Mr Reed, who mooted Masterplan three years ago, said: “It is to build a new West Cumbria with new schools, new hospitals, new universities, new training and skills developments, new nuclear investments and new jobs.

“All of these investments are taking place right now with more to follow, we have already begun much of the work needed to build a new West Cumbria.”

Mr Hutton, who is MP for Barrow in Furness, said the UK’s future energy economy needed a constant supply of school leavers with the necessary skills, which was why the West Lakes Academy school was an important development.

West Cumbria had to build on its foundations of the UK’s civil nuclear power birthplace making the most of its “unrivalled nuclear skills base” and helping Britain tackle climate change and secure future energy supplies.

Sellafield boss Barry Snelson was quick to respond, saying: “The skills base at Sellafield is key to Britain’s energy future.

“The Energy Coast programme is an ambitious attempt to secure long-term prosperity for West Cumbria.

“It will do so by building on the area’s established nuclear expertise and combining that expertise with other innovative projects.

“While decisions on issues such as news build or further reprocessing are for government and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, there’s no doubt we have the skills and the assets here to play a key role in the UK’s energy generation for many years to come.

“In doing so, we can help fight climate change, secure the UK’s energy supply and continue to support our local communities in their development.”

Roger Liddle, chairman of Cumbria Vision, said: “ This is a once-in-a -generation opportunity given the Government’s new commitments to nuclear power and renewables. Not only will it establish West Cumbria as an international player in energy but it will also improve services for local communities to ensure it is a superb place to live and relax as well as work and learn.”

Bob Pointing, chief executive of West Lakes Renaissance, described it as “embarking on an exciting journey that will change the face of West Cumbria for the better.”

Fergus McMorrow, Copeland council’s director of development, called it called it “a major landmark for the future of West Cumbria.

“Delivering the Energy Coast requires a massive commitment and a lot of hard work. Copeland council is confident that this work will build on the collaboration that has already taken place by all West Cumbrian partners and government.

“Working together, we have developed and signed up to the vision to create Britain's Energy Coast. We look forward to working together to deliver economic and social prosperity.”