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East Midlands Freeport
A strategic location at the heart of the UK, bringing together the region’s renowned strengths in advanced manufacturing with cutting-edge developments in low-carbon logistics.
The East Midlands Freeport is an opportunity for advanced manufacturing, advanced logistics and clean energy on a global scale. As the UK’s only inland Freeport with East Midlands Airport and an intermodal rail freight terminal at its heart, it’s unparalleled location offers outstanding multimodal connectivity across rail, road and air to connect to national and international markets.
Already home to world-leading multinational companies in the advanced manufacturing sectors, with the UK automotive manufacturing sector worth £77bn in 2022, the Freeport is uniquely placed to capitalise on the region’s well-established commercial and industrial strengths with target sectors of Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Advanced Logistics and Life Sciences.
Freeport tax benefits can be accessed at the following sites:
- The East Midlands Airport and Gateway Industrial Cluster encompasses East Midlands Airport, SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway and a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange
- Ratcliffe-on-Soar, a former power station site now moving towards becoming a zero-carbon technology and energy hub for the East Midlands.
- East Midlands Intermodal Park is located adjacent to the nationally significant Toyota manufacturing plant, with the potential to become one of the next generation of rail connected business parks.
Key facts
- Home to world-leading multinational companies and East Midlands Airport – the UK’s busiest ‘pure’ cargo airport
- It handles 1,000 tonnes a day and facilitates approximately £40bn of trade to and from the UK
- £11bn of non-EU imports and exports each year.
- Through road, rail and air, goods can reach more than 90% of the UK market within 4 hours from the East Midlands
Opportunity location
Why invest in East Midlands Freeport?
The East Midlands Freeport (EMF) was announced as a successful Freeport bid by the UK Government in March 2021.
As the UK’s only inland Freeport, it will drive economic regeneration across the East Midlands.
Underpinning this is a unique and world leading combination of partners focused on creating tens of thousands of jobs, boosting skills and accelerating the region’s commitment to decarbonisation and Net Zero through low carbon energy investments.
Straddling three East Midlands counties, East Midlands Freeport features three main sites: the East Midlands Airport and Gateway Industrial Cluster (EMAGIC) in North West Leicestershire, the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station site in Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands Intermodal Park (EMIP) in South Derbyshire.
The East Midlands Freeport Opportunity:
Insight for investors
- Type of Investment Sought: End User Occupiers
- Target Investor(s): End users to be determined as part of Development Consent Order.
- Target Sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Advanced Logistics, Life Sciences
- Site Size: 5.2m ft2 of manufacturing and distribution space
- Timescale: Initial local consultation undertaken; currently part of process for Freeport business case with HMG.
- Delivery Timescale: 5+
- Planning Status: As a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) will be made to the Planning Inspectorate, with the final decision being made by the Secretary of State for Transport.
Associated opportunities
East Midlands Airport and Gateway Cluster
East Midlands Intermodal Park
Space Park
