Marches LEP reveals £27million funding for new schemes

June 30, 2020
Mandy Thorn MBE

The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership is investing more than £27 million in a programme of high-profile schemes which will create more than 1,700 jobs and boost growth across the region.
The LEP – the business-led body responsible for driving economic growth across the region – says the six schemes awarded funding will unlock 15 hectares of land for employment, sites for nearly 500 homes and create new training, health and retail facilities.
The schemes in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin awarded the funding are:
New Primary Care Centre at the Tannery, Shrewsbury – £2.06m
New infrastructure and building investment at Hereford Enterprise Zone – £5.4m
Marches Centre of Excellence in Health and Allied Health and Social Care, Telford- £3.5m
Oswestry Infrastructure Works – £5m
Phase 1 of development at Ross-on-Wye Enterprise Park – £4.5m
Stronger Communities Regeneration Sites – Station Quarter, Donnington & Wellington – £7m
LEP Chair Mandy Thorn MBE said the schemes had been awarded the Growth Deal investment after a rigorous appraisal process. The funding, for spending by March 2021 under Government rules, was originally allocated to the South Wye Transport project in Herefordshire which is currently paused during a review by Herefordshire Council.
“These schemes will play a crucial part in boosting the economy of their local communities – and the region as a whole – for many years to come,” she said.
“As a package, we expect them to create 1,749 gross jobs over 12.17 hectares of employment space, safeguard a further 26 jobs, unlock land for 495 homes and provide
1,280 square metres of new or improved training floorspace to benefit 1,313 new learners.
“All the projects have had to draw up a full business case which has been submitted to detailed scrutiny by our commissioning group and independent evaluators.
“As a result we are certain that these schemes will not only deliver real growth, jobs and improved services and infrastructure for their communities, but also represent the best possible value for taxpayers’ money.”
In Herefordshire, the money will help further development at Hereford Enterprise Zone which is already home to 38 businesses employing 742 people, with another 1,000 jobs expected to be generated from £48m of investment previously announced.
Meanwhile the 15-acre Ross Enterprise Park will provide up to 29,400 square metres of new commercial floorspace and 1,000 new jobs when fully built out.
In Shropshire, Shrewsbury’s Riverside Medical Practice will move from its current site at Roushill to a 943 square metre new home at The Tannery on Barker Street under plans approved by Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s Primary Care Commissioning Committee.
The infrastructure improvements in Oswestry are part of a package of measures to ensure the town has enough high-value jobs, homes and facilities to continue to flourish in the years to come.
The Telford projects will see a new Marches Centre of Excellence in Health and Allied Health and Social Care being opened in the borough to develop best practice and training across a range of medical disciplines.
The Stronger Communities programme will focus on four key themes including health and care, public realm and the environment, community safety and community capacity.
A further three projects have been included in a reserve list should surplus funds become available.
The Growth Deal money became available after Herefordshire Council’s decision to pause and review the planned South Wye Transport Package.

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The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has now ceased trading and transferred all its functions to Shropshire Council working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Herefordshire Council, in line with the UK Government's plans for devolution.

The Marches LEP was established in 2011 and hands over an impressive legacy from its 13-year life. In that time the LEP invested over £196m in projects across the Marches, securing in excess of £100m of match funding and supported more than 66,000 business interactions.

The schemes supported have made tangible differences to local communities, increasing skills, creating jobs and improving the physical appearance of many towns.

We would like to thank all the LEP Board Members who have given their time freely over the life of the LEP, as well as all the staff who worked for the LEP over the years. We also want to thank our delivery partners, local education providers and local, regional and national stakeholders who helped us achieve so much.

The Marches Growth Hub will continue to support businesses and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Each of the three Local Authorities will also continue to provide direct business support locally. Details of this support will be available through the Marches Growth Hub website and from the Local Authorities directly. Website: www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk | email: enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.

The Marches Careers Hub will continue to be delivered and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Website: www.marchescareershub.co.uk | email: info@marchescareershub.co.uk

For any queries about Getting Building Fund (GBF), Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Marches Investment Fund (MIF) projects supported by the Marches LEP please contact: gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk

For any finance queries please contact: michelle.hodgkiss@shropshire.gov.uk

The solvent liquidation of the Marches LEP is being managed by the Evelyn Partners Limited. For any matter related to this please contact: Camilla.Mulholland@evelyn.com

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