Progress welcomed on Newark Gateway site as part of IASTI and Newark Towns Fund developments

Progress to develop the Newark Gateway site, which will create inward investment, new employment opportunities and increase further education and training provision, is continuing at pace.

The land, which includes the former livestock market and existing lorry park and its associated facilities, has already been prepared in anticipation of the International Air and Space Training Institute (IASTI) Newark, which received planning approval in February.

Feasibility work has also continued for redeveloping the wider site for the Smart Innovation, Supply Chain and Logistics Zone (SiScLog) and potential relocation and expansion of the lorry park.

The work forms part of nine priority projects outlined in Newark’s Towns Investment Plan, which was awarded £25m from the government following its submission by the Newark Towns Fund Board.

Following the announcement work on the IASTI has rapidly moved forward, with interim facilities being opened at Newark College while progress on the building design continued.

Since launching in September 2021, the first intake of students have been honing their flying skills in the flight simulator and taking to the air in the IASTI’s leased aircraft, from Nottingham Aerodrome in Tollerton, to put their theory into practice.

An outline business case was submitted to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) in January to receive the first payment of £500,000 towards the project.

This funding is needed to complete the design and planning stages so that construction can start.

It is hoped the purpose built state-of-the-art facility will be built in time for welcoming students in September next year.

The SiScLog will support innovation and growth in the transport, engineering and logistics sector by creating an industrial cluster that can benefit from its advantageous location in terms of transport links and nearby assets. This is in addition to the aviation and supply chain opportunities that are expected to arise with the development of the IASTI.

The outline business case is hoped to be completed by June 2022. Towns Fund investment seeks to unlock site infrastructure, commercial units and workspace suitable for new and growing businesses alongside a training provision.

David Lloyd, co-chairman of Newark Towns Fund Board and leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “The progress that has already been made towards creating a real hub of innovation and training is truly exciting for Newark.

“Not only will the Newark Gateway support the Town Investment Plan objectives of creating new business opportunities, employment and educational pathways, but it will accelerate our continued vision to make Newark a place people want to live, work and visit.”

Following the long-anticipated A46 Newark Northern Bypass route announcement by National Highways, work is ongoing to understand the impact this will have on the level of developable land for the Gateway site.

In addition, consideration is being given to the impact on the current lorry park, around Winthorpe and the Newark Showground ­— the latter being the preferred site for a new lorry park.

A third party remains interested in re-establishing a livestock market for Newark but a deliverable site has not yet been identified.

The district council remains willing to offer advice and support to the consortia wanting to deliver this aspiration.