By Margaret Crosby

Last updated 15:57, Wednesday, 14 May 2008

THE Cumbria partners of the West Cumbria Strategic Forum have agreed the appointment of David Hayes as government relations director for Britain’s Energy Coast initiative.

He joins West Lakes Renaissance (WLR) from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, prior to which he was with the Department for Trade and Industry.

David’s role will be to help the Cumbria partners liaise with Government in implementing the Energy Coast programme.

The Energy Coast Masterplan is a £2 billion package of regeneration projects that builds on the area’s nuclear expertise and skills and diversifies into other technologies such as tidal, off-shore wind and microgeneration. It is intended the plan will create 16,000 jobs and boost the county’s economy by £800 million.

Representatives recently met Government officials to discuss the key projects under the Masterplan and plans to hold further discussions in June, prior to a meeting with ministers from Government departments within the West Cumbria Strategic Forum in July.