Norfolk business Brineflow Properties and Handling Ltd is undertaking a £4m expansion at Great Yarmouth Energy Park while freeing up a prime site for offshore energy investment beside the Outer Harbour.
Brineflow is making a substantial infrastructure investment in large shoreside tanks for liquid fertilisers that will benefit farmers and growers throughout the region.
Brineflow relies on proximity to the port to receive ship-borne fertiliser cargoes via an existing dedicated pipeline. Working with the borough council and supported with a £300,000 Growing Business Fund grant from New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership through its Oil and Gas Taskforce, Brineflow is relocating to nearby Great Yarmouth Energy Park, which is targeted at businesses related to the port, logistics or energy sectors which need to be close to the port.
This releases a prime 2-hectare site which will be promoted by the council to businesses in offshore wind farms and gas platform decommissioning,ensuring the borough is best placed to capture the significant jobs, investment and regeneration opportunities in these growing areas.
As part of the move, Brineflow is making a £4m investment to support its growth as a business, constructing modern liquid fertiliser tanks, storage vessels and manufacturing and processing equipment, supported by new underground pipework to carry the imported fertiliser from ship tankers in the river port.
Cllr Graham Plant, council leader, said: “As England’s offshore energy capital, Great Yarmouth is at the forefront of £39bn of energy investment over the next 20 years and is a growing hub for both offshore wind farms and gas platform decommissioning.
“This amicable commercial agreement between the council and Brineflow is a win-win for our economy, unlocking a prime development site, adjacent to the Outer Harbour, to attract further investment in these growing areas, in addition to facilitating a £4m private sector investment in the energy park from local families in a growing business.
“This is part of our work with partners to progress the energy park and unlock further space for businesses related to the port, logistics or energy sectors, which need to be close to the river port or Outer Harbour, so they can continue to relocate to and expand within the area,capturing significant jobs, growth and regeneration opportunities for the borough and region.”
Ian Ferris, Brineflow Commercial Director, said: “Our investment cements Great Yarmouth’s reputation as a premier Agri-bulk port close to key European markets. The use of conveniently pumpable Liquid fertilisers is the most environmentally-benign and efficient way for farmers to drive crop productivity in the field.
“We are delighted to have worked proactively and creatively with the Port, the Council and New Anglia LEP to unlock this substantial private sector investment and to simultaneously release an important block of land adjacent to the Outer Harbour for other productive uses. Use of the special LDO planning powers knocked at least a year off the normal construction time scale.
Doug Field, chair of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Our Oil and Gas Taskforce was set up to help businesses diversify and move into new industry sectors and markets. Brineflow have done that, with the added advantages of generating new investment, creating new jobs and freeing up a prime site along our all-energy coast.”
