Progress on the Newark Gateway

The land, which comprises 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 £25 million from central 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 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 (currently based at the interim facility at Newark College) 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 2022 in order to receive the first payment of £500k towards the project. This funding is required 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 2023.

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 within the East Midlands 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.

Councillor David Lloyd, Co-Chair 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. Similarly careful consideration is required in terms of the impact upon the current lorry park, around Winthorpe and the Newark Showground, with the latter being the preferred site to retain and enhance a lorry park for Newark. Recognising its important function, the current facility would only be relocated if better facilities can be provided elsewhere.

There remains a third party that is interested in re-establishing a livestock market for Newark. To date, a deliverable site in viability and planning terms has not been identified. The District Council remains willing to offer advice and support to the consortia wanting to deliver this aspiration.