Carlisle and Tees Valley were hoping to host a factory for small modular nuclear reactors, but unfortunately, they missed out on this opportunity. The US firm Holtec had shortlisted Kingmoor Park in Carlisle as a possible site, along with Tees Valley. However, on Friday, the company announced that South Yorkshire had won the bid.
The Cumberland Council expressed their disappointment at the news but emphasized that they still view nuclear technology as a crucial part of the area’s economic future. A council spokesman stated that they will closely monitor the development of the factory in South Yorkshire and work on strengthening partnerships to be prepared for future economic opportunities.
Holtec had considered 13 locations that responded to their call for interest in hosting the factory, which will serve the UK, European, and Middle East markets. In the end, only four sites, including Kingmoor Park in Carlisle and Tees Valley, made it to the shortlist. Unfortunately, the West Midlands also missed out on being selected.
The Holtec factory is expected to bring £1.5 billion to the local economy and create hundreds of jobs, making it a significant economic opportunity for the chosen location.
While Carlisle and Tees Valley may have missed out on this particular opportunity, it is essential for them to continue exploring other potential economic developments and partnerships to ensure future growth and prosperity in the region. Stay tuned for more updates on this story and other news by following BBC Cumbria on various social media platforms. Feel free to share your story ideas with us at northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.