£7 Million Announced in Autumn Statement for Controversial Penrith Business Hub.
Dr Neil Hudson MP has welcomed that the Government has listened and plans to back a more than £7 million proposal for a "state-of-the-art" Inspiring Eden Enterprise Hub to boost businesses in rural Cumbria.
The planned 3390 square metres of business space will be located by the Stoneybeck roundabout near Penrith on the A6 with direct connections to the M6 was a plan by the former Eden District
Council administration as part of a commercial industrial site development.
Planned to house offices, workshops, studios, and collaborative spaces, the development was designed to attract some 80 businesses and more than 500 jobs which its claimed could generate an estimated £20 million of economic benefit in 10 years.
Announcing the measure in the House of Commons, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt referred to Eden having a "particularly effective" local MP championing the project.
On the announcement today Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
“Having delivered on the Prime Minister’s Promise to halve inflation by the end of the year – the Chancellor is building on this to bolster long-term economic growth. A decisive vision that I am proud to support.
“Locally, I’m delighted that after many months of persuading the Government of the scheme’s impact, Ministers have listened to me and approved more than £7 million for our planned rural enterprise hub in the heart of Eden.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to take full advantage of local talent, unlocking the economic potential of rural Eden and allowing entrepreneurs and business leaders alike to thrive.
“Put simply, our Conservative Government’s progressive Levelling Up Agenda will see massive benefits to local enterprises – cementing Penrith and Eden's place on the business map.”
However not everyone supports the Inspiring Eden Hub that has previously failed to secure government funding for its development.
The Plans had drawn criticism from many local organisations who had no consultation or involvement despite the claims by Eden Council at the time to have worked with and consulted the local stakeholders.
Penrith Chamber of Trade is one of a number town groups and stakeholders including Penrith Town Council who have publicly condemned the plans as delivering no benefits to Penrith and causing risk of further economic damage to the town rather than delivering positive investment and regeneration.
A spokesperson for Evolve Penrith who have also condemned the plans for the former Eden Council said “The proposed ‘Inspiring Eden Hub’, will be located 5km from the town centre along the A6 with poor public transport links and a lack of walking and cycling infrastructure connecting the site with the town.”
“The only viable connectivity between Penrith and the wider Eden area to the site is by road meaning the proposed 500 jobs created will lead to an increased volume of road traffic to and from the site.”
The hub will not deliver much needed inward investment into Penrith it will pull jobs further out of the town rather than helping deliver much needed anchor buildings to drive increased footfall for local businesses in the town.”
“This plan was poorly though tout by the last administration of Eden Council before its demise just like the Voreda House white elephant the legacy of Eden Council is now set to drop another white elephant on the area with the support of our out of touch local MP”
Westmorland and Furness Council Leader Councillor Jonathan Brook welcomed the announcement and described the hub proposal as a key opportunity to drive economic growth in Penrith, Eden and the wider region.
Councillor Brook said: “This project is all about increasing economic prosperity and levelling up through enterprise and entrepreneurship - with a focus on supporting our rural businesses.
“The proposal supports the new council’s key priority to create sustainable, inclusive economic growth as part of our vision to make Westmorland and Furness a great place to live, work and thrive.
“We very much welcome the announcement of the intended funding support and we are now working with Government to finalise details. We look forward to confirming how the funding can help unlock the full potential of local rural enterprise and entrepreneurship.’’
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