Consortium aims to create Freeport on ‘Energy Island’
ACONSORTIUM is being put together to bid for Holyhead to secure Freeport status. Last month the UK Government announced the next stage of its process to establish at least 10 new Freeports across the country – including at least one in Wales.
The prospectus for bidding in England has now commenced, with Wales expected to follow early next year.
Welsh Government is overseeing the bidding process but wants more details from UK Government about the economic benefits over concerns Freeports would displace existing jobs rather than create new ones.
The port of Milford Haven has set out its Freeport plans and now Virginia Crosbie, MP for Ynys Mon, has brought together a team of local stakeholders to build a Freeport proposal for the island.
She said the Anglesey Freeport Bidding Consortium will seek Freeport status so that it would benefit the whole of Anglesey and beyond into north Wales.
Alongside Ms Crosbie, the consortium includes representatives from M-SParc, Bangor University, Stena Line and Anglesey County Council as well as the North Wales Ambition Board.
Ms Crosbie said: “It is clear from the earlier consultation submissions and my own postbag that there is an appetite for bringing Freeport status to Anglesey, and I expect that final proposals will need to be submitted in the first half of next year.
“The Freeport model being proposed by the Government is very broad and will include tax incentives that would drive local business and employment opportunities across the island. The impact on the supply chain would benefit the whole of north Wales.
“Working together with companies already active in the region will be critical to the success of our submission. We cannot rely on just one organisation to do this – it must be a truly joint effort – and this is the right time for us to pull together for the long-term benefit of Anglesey.
“By capitalising on Anglesey as the ‘Energy Island’ and the region’s reputation for innovation and enterprise, I believe that our Bidding Consortium can submit a detailed and relevant case which will capture the imagination of those scrutinising the bids.
“At the same time, I will be working hard with the Treasury, the Secretary of State for Wales, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and other decision makers in Westminster to ensure that they understand the very strong case for establishing a Freeport on Anglesey.
“This is an exciting time. Funding is being released by UK Government to level-up economic opportunity across the country. Anglesey has long suffered from under-funding and this is a key opportunity for us to make a brighter future for the island.”