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Ambition 7 Attracting investment in infrastructure, the economy and green growth

We want to raise the national and international profile of Nottinghamshire and create the right conditions for investment and economic growth.

Nottinghamshire’s economy is changing in response to Brexit, the pandemic and the UK’s commitment to cut carbon emissions 78% by 2035, and we know that investment will be key to growing our economy and creating high-quality jobs.

We’ll focus on using our influence and powers to support green growth across Nottinghamshire’s businesses, and secure investment in major projects like HS2 and the East Midlands Freeport. As we grow, we’ll work to protect our natural and historic environments, and reduce our carbon footprint. We’ll also make sure that all development is supported by community facilities – like schools and public transport links. And, we’ll promote initiatives that open up more opportunities for our residents, especially where the need is greatest. We know we can grow green and improve jobs, opportunities and quality of life for everyone, supporting a bright and prosperous future for Nottinghamshire.

The Big Notts Survey

  • Over 1 in 4 (27%) people ranked better access to job opportunities as one of their top priorities for Nottinghamshire. A similar proportion (26%) of young people said the same.
  • Just under 1 in 5 (19%) people thought lower pollution/better air quality was one of the factors that would make Nottinghamshire a better place to live.

Over the next four years we will:

We’ll ensure our residents and businesses benefit from major infrastructure projects. These include HS2, to connect Nottinghamshire with major UK cities, and the Toton Innovation Campus, which will create thousands of new jobs. We’ll also play a key role in driving the East Midlands Development Corporation, which brings together three landmark developments in our region: the Toton and Chetwynd East Midlands Hub,  East Midlands Airport area and the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station site.

We’ll work with our partners to deliver the East Midlands Freeport, an economic zone that can boost our region’s manufacturing and economy and deliver new jobs.  We’ll make sure the right infrastructure is in place, so all our residents can benefit from the project.

With the owners of Nottinghamshire’s coal-fired power stations, we’ll plan long-term futures for them to secure investment and create new jobs. We’ll also continue working with our partners on technological innovations like Spherical Tokamak Energy Production (fusion power) to benefit Nottinghamshire’s economy and environment.

We’ll continue to develop our major sites, boosting housing and job opportunities. We’ll develop Top Wighay Farm as a blueprint for sustainable living in Nottinghamshire, and will develop more sites over the coming years to supply quality housing for our residents and new job opportunities.

We’ll ensure major infrastructure developments prioritise the environment and sustainability, improve biodiversity, and minimise carbon emissions.

We’ll connect businesses with the technical advice and financial support they need to lower their carbon impact as they grow. This could include making carbon-neutral investments or using energy more efficiently.

We’ll drive new green technologies that protect our environment and reduce carbon emissions. With our communities, partners, universities and businesses, we’ll work on new technologies and carbon neutral solutions that could be developed for a wider global market, and deliver local jobs too.

Success means:

  • An increased amount of inward investment in the County
  • Increased economic activity across the County
  • More high-quality jobs for residents
  • More non-carbon energy suppliers operating from the County
  • Reduced carbon emissions from industry
  • More green technologies developed
  • High-quality advice given to help businesses cut their carbon impact.

In 2022-23, to achieve this, we will deliver the following actions:

We will facilitate and encourage partners to introduce new technologies and carbon neutral solutions:

  • securing approval for the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund so that households in the most need are supported.
  • agreeing the approach for Hydrogen for Nottinghamshire so that we are ready to maximise the economic benefits.
  • supporting the Midlands’ Energy Hub and participating in the Nottingham Energy Institute so that the County is at the forefront of low carbon energy production.

We will work with partners to develop and submit plans and business cases to secure funding for major projects, including:

  • road and railway improvements to increase the capacity of our transport infrastructure within the county.
  • Toton and Chetwynd Masterplan to guide the development of this area to maximise the economic benefits.

We will support the delivery of the East Midlands Freeport and work to secure the seed funding allocation.

We will transition into delivery of the East Midlands Development Corporation with our commercial and local partners.

We will work with the landowners of the coal fired power stations in North Nottinghamshire in respect of their long-term future and proposals for each of the sites, including the case for using West Burton as a site for Spherical Tokamak Energy Production (fusion power).

To find out more about what we’ve got planned for the current year, you can read our full Annual Delivery Plan 2022/23 [PDF].

Our other ambitions

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