Mega shed scheme in Suffolk boosted by Freeport designation

Confirmation that Freeport East including Gateway 14 at Stowmarket and Port One at Great Blakenham, has secured Freeport status in Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Spring 2021 Budget is set to boost logistics across the region.

The government’s Freeports initiative will allow firms to import goods and then re-export them outside normal tax and customs rules and the aim is to have 10 Freeport sites designated across the UK by the end of the year.

Gateway 14 at Stowmarket, which is located adjacent to Junction 50 of the A14, connecting the major east coast port of Felixstowe into the UK motorway system, is currently in for planning to provide up to 2.45 million sq ft of warehouse and industrial space.

The development is being promoted by Gateway 14 Ltd (wholly owned by Mid Suffolk District Council) and Jaynic.

Freeport East has stated that its ambition is to create manufacturing, green energy and innovation hubs that capitalise on the unique qualities of the Eastern Region and will become an important part of the regions post-Covid recovery.

Sir Christopher Haworth the chairman of Gateway 14, said: “Gateway 14, along with the other key sites in Felixstowe and Harwich, is in a unique position to support business growth across multiple sectors from large manufacturers to smaller start-ups, all of which will be key to supporting our local economy and creating job opportunities.”

Gateway 14 bridges the gap between the Midlands and one of Europe’s largest and busiest container ports at Felixstowe and is the country’s primary route for export to European and global markets, opening gateways to business.

Agents for the scheme are Savills and Avison Young.