Plans for Thames Enterprise Park, the billion-pound regeneration vision for the former Coryton oil refinery, have taken a significant step forward this week with the developers submitting a package of additional information to Thurrock Borough Council to support the planning application.
The Council had requested supplementary details to assist with its determination of the application. A decision is now anticipated early in the summer.
The planning application proposes to create a new manufacturing, energy and logistics super-hub across 412 acres of the former oil refinery site that closed in 2012. If approved, Thames Enterprise Park will create up to 5,500 new jobs and add around £340m (GVA) every year to the economy.
This week’s news follows the recent announcement that Thames Enterprise Park is partnering with neighbours DP World London Gateway, Port of Tilbury and Ford Dagenham on the Thames Freeport bid – an overall opportunity to create over 25,000 new jobs across more than 1,600 acres. A decision on the freeport bidding competition and whether Thames Freeport will secure freeport status will be made by the UK Government, separately from the local decision on the planning application for Thames Enterprise Park.
Jonathan Whittingham, Director of Thames Enterprise Park, said:
“Thames Enterprise Park represents a billion-pound inward investment proposition which will be truly transformational for Thurrock and for the Thames Estuary. This is regeneration in action: we’re taking a brownfield site and repurposing it to create a strategic employment site with upwards of 5,500 new jobs for the region.
“As well as attracting new green industries, we will also create significant economic and social benefits for the wider area. Once planning consent is granted by Thurrock Council, we will move rapidly into the construction phase so that we can realise these benefits for Thurrock and the estuary region as soon as possible.”
Thames Enterprise Park is one of the largest regeneration projects in the UK. £8.5m has already been committed to early remediation and planning permission has been secured for further infrastructure works, so that plots can be ready for development as soon as consent is granted. When planning permission is granted, the first phase of the development will be up and running within 24 months.
As well as progressing with the planning application and Thames Freeport bid, Thames Enterprise Park has already established occupier interest. A major food sector occupier has been signed up and advanced discussions are taking place with a biofuels company and major low carbon occupier.
You can find out more about Thames Enterprise Park on its website or social media channels (Twitter / LinkedIn). For planning information, please visit the Thurrock Council website.
Contact details
For information about Thames Enterprise Park, contact Richard Pia / Ben Copithorne on rpia@camargue.uk / bcopithorne@camargue.uk or 07968 748125 / 020 7636 7366
Notes to editors
Thames Enterprise Park
- Thames Enterprise Park is a billion-pound inward investment proposal to transform the former Coryton oil refinery site on the banks of the River Thames in Thurrock into a vibrant manufacturing, energy and logistics super-hub.
- It is regeneration in action – transforming 669 acres of brownfield land into a strategic employment and infrastructure asset
- It will create up to 5,500 new jobs worth approximately £340m GVA per annum, as well as training and learning opportunities for young people
- Clean, green and commercially-relevant employment hub which will attract new businesses to Thurrock and the wider regional area
- Strategically located on the River Thames with direct access to river, road and rail links
- Immediately adjacent to London Gateway port, it will be an innovative employment destination and complementary to the port – delivering the proven business benefits of clustering
- Clustering of manufacturing, logistics and energy businesses will strengthen supply chains, cut carbon and achieve more sustainable energy use
- Capital is in place and some plots are ‘shovel ready’ – accelerated construction can ensure Thames Enterprise Park is operating as soon as possible (subject to planning consent)
- Potential to transform the regional economy and deliver benefits at scale though the Thames Freeport vision. Thames Enterprise Park is part of the Thames Freeport bid alongside London Gateway, Port of Tilbury and Ford’s Dagenham engine plant. The Freeport as a whole could create more than 25,000+ new jobs
