Local MP Alan Mak has welcomed news that the Government has given final approval to the Solent Freeport as one of the first Freeports to get fully up-and running, with Havant’s Dunsbury Park playing a central role in the project.
Solent Freeport will now receive £25 million seed funding and potentially hundreds of millions in locally retained business rates to upgrade local infrastructure and stimulate regeneration. This is alongside a generous package of trade and innovation support for businesses locating there.
Dunsbury Park business park in Havant is a Freeport Tax Site and a key part of the Solent Freeport area, with special rules and tax incentives to boost jobs and growth. Solent Freeport is a new regional hub for international trade and investment.
Dunsbury Park is already home to a new 120,000sq ft manufacturing centre currently being constructed by Bio Pure Technologies, specialists in the design and manufacture of components for use in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.
Mr Mak has toured the site with Bio Pure Managing Director Steve Feasey where he outlined his plans for the campus-style facility which will bring new opportunities and high skilled jobs to the region. The company, which was founded in Havant in 1998, currently employs 227 people. It is part of Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group, an award-winning, global leader in fluid management technology and for over 60 years has engineered components and systems for customers in the food processing and handling, pharmaceutical, medtech, chemical, water and industrial markets. WMFTG is part of Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc, a FTSE 100 company.
Alan Mak MP said: “Government approval and funding for Solent Freeport will bring new jobs and investment to the Havant Constituency. Major employers such as BioPure, DPD, FatFace and Volkswagen are already choosing to base themselves at Dunsbury Park – a big vote of confidence in our local economy!”
Bio Pure’s Managing Director, Steve Feasey said: “I’m tremendously excited by our new cutting-edge facility. It’s a real landmark for our company, which will help put Havant firmly on the radar for international investment. I am also thrilled to be joining so many top names at Dunsbury Park - like Fat Face and VW - who are taking advantage of the opportunities the Freeport offers.”
