Cress Marsh work starts in North East Lincolnshire

The next stage of multi-million pound plans to create 4,000 new jobs and generate £200m within the local economy in North East Lincolnshire has been launched

Delivery of the first phase of the council’s South Humber Industrial Investment Programme (SHIIP) has started on the Cress Marsh Mitigation Site which will help accelerate development and job creation.

The World Class Environment, World Class Industry ecological mitigation project is supported by £1.1m of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), £2m from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and £5.2m from North East Lincolnshire Council.

The area, which is 38.9 Ha and can be found off South Marsh Road, Stallingborough, is currently allocated as mitigation land in the council’s Local Plan and is the first of four mitigation schemes to start on site.

The site will be converted into a grassland with ponds, muddy areas for wildlife and a lagoon over the next four months, to replicate the right conditions to accommodate overwintering birds which usually come to the Humber Estuary Special Protection Area.

For all developments within influencing distance of the Estuary, mitigation sites are required in advance of construction to offset the effect of the development. 

By having the mitigation available in advance of development it makes the neighbouring employment sites easier and quicker to invest in.

Cress Marsh is the first mitigation site being progressed by NELC and its regeneration partner, ENGIE, as part of the SHIIP and once the site has matured over the next year, it is expected to become home to protected wildlife species such as Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Widgeon, water voles and bats.

SHIIP will see a number of key projects delivered over a 5-10 year period and when complete the programme will create 90 hectares of additional employment land, create 4,000 new jobs and generate £200m within the local economy over the next 25 years. Other projects include the development of Stallingborough Business Park and the South Humber Bank Link Road also being supported with £2m of Greater Lincolmshire LEP growth deal funding.

Cllr Peter Wheatley, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Developments like SHIIP take years to bid for the money and bring to fruition. The work to create the mitigation site is key to making sure that, along with the development work we are enabling at the next-door site, we are providing investment sites suitable for occupiers to take advantage of.”

The Cress Marsh project has been managed and designed by ENGIE’s architectural team in conjunction with environmental specialist Roger Wardle.

Ursula Lidbetter Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP stated " This project will be transformational for the south Humber area, enabling improved connectivity between the Great Coates Industrial Park and the ports of Immingham and Grimsby and substantial job creation, and also ensuring that key natural habitats within a special area of conservation remain protected for years to come. The LEP is proud to be involved in such a  diverse and rewarding project."