Ni.PARK lands CECA Midlands project of the year award

November 2, 2021
Ni Park artist impression

Newport Innovation Park has won a prestigious award in recognition of high quality work to ensure the ambitious project has been delivered on time and to budget during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ni.PARK landed the ‘Project of the Year’ title in the over £3 million category at the 2021 Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Midlands awards in a development delivered by engineering and construction contractor Balfour Beatty.The project is a key element in the Newport Innovation and Enterprise Package, backed jointly by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership and Telford & Wrekin Council.

Telford & Wrekin Council sees the project as part of its commitment to attract inward investment to the borough, delivered through its Growth fund, which looks to ensure the right properties are delivered in the right location. 

Ni.PARK comprises of approximately 25 acres of allocated employment land and Phase One of the project is delivering  a range of smaller employment  units.

The site is particularly suitable for businesses linked to agri-tech or innovation and being delivered in association with Harper Adams University.

CECA Midlands Awards is the region’s networking event of the year for civil engineering contractors and showcases the best contractors and construction projects in the region.

Councillor David Wright, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, Housing, Transport & Infrastructure, said: “This has been an excellent project which has been rapidly taking shape throughout the pandemic and has been delivered without a single day’s shut down on site which is a huge achievement.

“The fact that the development has won this regional award speaks volumes for the success of the project and everyone involved should be congratulated for bringing it to fruition.

“We are very excited about Ni.PARK which will have a significant, positive impact on local people and the local economy. 

“Innovative projects like this are instrumental in attracting new investment to the borough.”

Ni.PARK has been supported by £7.36 million of funding from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership under the Local Growth Fund and a further £1 million from Homes England as part of the wider Newport Innovation and Enterprise package.

Mandy Thorn MBE, chair of the Marches LEP, said she was delighted with the quality of the Ni.PARK concept and that it had been recognised with the award.

She said: “The intention of all the partners involved in bringing Ni.PARK to fruition is that it should be the highest-quality site of its kind in the country and be a magnet which attracts investment and innovation into our region.

“This award clearly recognises that the high standards we have set for Ni.PARK are being met and we can look forward to a long and successful future for the site.”

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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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