The decision by British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) to cease power production at its Chapelcross site by 2005 has been the catalyst for development of an economic regeneration strategy that will address both:
- decommissioning and the impact this will have on employment and income within the Gretna, Lockerbie and Annan corridor area;
- the wider problems facing Gretna-Lockerbie-Annan in the context of the regional challenges for the Dumfries & Galloway economy and its current main industries.
A co-ordinated partnership approach has been adopted through the formation of The Corridor Regeneration Strategy (CoReS) Steering Group, comprising local representatives and agencies.
The Group quickly established a wide ranging review involving extensive local consultation to examine potential opportunities and the key actions to be addressed.
The findings led to the Steering Group agreeing four key objectives for the Gretna-Lockerbie-Annan economic regeneration:
- WEALTH: to raise the income and living standards of residents in the corridor area;
- DIVERSITY: to provide new and different economic opportunities for sustainable growth in the area;
- INSPIRATION: to offer a vision for the area which everyone can aspire to and be part of;
- INCLUSION: to ensure that residents are included and benefit from regeneration.
The strategy developed to achieve these objectives recognises there is a major opportunity to undertake restructuring and economic regeneration in a positive and sustainable manner, if based on a demand-led approach driven by market opportunities.
Some 30 market-led opportunities have been identified to date and have been grouped under six themes which will drive economic change:
- Diversifying the existing Chapelcross base
- Gretna and Gretna Green
- Connectivity
- Greater value business and resources
- New sector opportunities
- Image.
Clear action steps have been indicated for 13 priority opportunities which form the basis for a plan covering action over a period of five to seven years. In addition, a business plan has been developed as the basis for approaching private and public sources to test the potential for securing funding.
As part of its role, the Steering Group has published this prospectus to highlight activity to date, the vision and objectives for the economic regeneration programme, the way forward in implementing a successful strategy and the need for the local community to engage in this process.
