GOVERNMENT funds awarded to Essex County Council will support future large-scale infrastructure projects.
Essex County Council is set to receive £400,000 to support projects that boost economic growth, infrastructure, skills, and innovation.
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) are crucial to the UK achieving net zero by 2050.
There are currently 11 proposed projects of this kind in Essex – one of the highest amounts in any county in the UK.
The projects explore the possibilities of energy generation in the East of England.
One of these is Longfield Solar Farm, located to the north of Chelmsford. When completed, this will be the largest solar farm in the UK. Other NSIPs in the county include:
The A12 Chelmsford to A120 widening scheme
Lower Thames Crossing
Offshore windfarms
Schemes like these bring significant investment opportunities for Essex. They can also lead to the creation of good jobs and boost the Essex supply chain.
The council has won three pots of funding. The first £289,854 will be used for the A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Scheme, if the development goes ahead.
£97,360 will fund a new interactive digital mapping tool of key biodiversity sites in Essex. This will support habitat creation and enhancement.
This funding will provide information on the potential for securing additional Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) from NSIP projects.
The final £96,060 was a joint bid with Lincolnshire County Council. Essex will receive half to develop new data management software for dealing with NSIPs. The fund will also be used to recruit project management staff.
The Government recognises the need to collaborate with local authority partners on NSIP projects. Essex is one of these key partners.
Councillor Lesley Wagland OBE, Special Lead Member for major infrastructure projects and freeports, said: “These successful bids are a fantastic achievement for Essex. A total of £400,000 in funding will help us to secure better infrastructure and community value from future Essex NSIPs.
“We are also committed to sharing our learning with other county councils working on NSIPs, thereby strengthening relationships with local authorities across the UK.”
