Mayor Ward launches East Midlands Growth Plan
Setting out a vision for the years to 2035, the plan puts in place goals for more than 100,000 homes and £2bn invested in transport infrastructure.
Unveiled this week by East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward, the plan aims to add £13bn to the economy of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
East Midlands Combined County Authority said that at its heart is a commitment to inclusive growth, ensuring the proceeds of economic success are shared fairly, with investment directed where it will have the greatest impact on people’s lives.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “For the first time, we have a growth plan that is backed by the region and puts us in pole position to succeed.
“This plan is about unlocking growth while tackling inequality, creating better jobs, fairer pay, and new opportunities in every community. By working with business, government, and local partners, we can build a stronger, more inclusive economy that delivers for everyone.
“The East Midlands has the people, the ideas and the determination to drive Britain’s growth. We must now turn our potential into prosperity, creating the right conditions for business to thrive and local people to succeed.”
The plan identifies key sectors, including clean energy, medtech and life sciences, advanced manufacturing, digital industries, and the visitor economy.
It also outlines major place-based projects such as the Trent Arc and Supercluster, which together could deliver £3.3bn in economic value and create more than 55,000 high-quality jobs.
Trent Arc is one of seven growth strategies set out in the East Midlands spatial vision document, and broadly looks to link Derby and Nottingham through a chain of key sites including the former power station at Ratcliffe-on-Soar, which is within the East Midlands Freeport’s cluster of tax sites, and the Infinity Park investment zone.
Inked in for major residential development within this sphere are Toton, west of Nottingham, and the Infinity Garden Community scheme south of Derby. The overarching idea is that investment in mass transit will link sites in the arc to Derby and Nottingham’s mainline stations.
The mayor continued: “I want the East Midlands to be one of the UK’s fastest growing and most inclusive regional economies – a place where people are proud to live, work, and build their futures. This plan is the roadmap to get us there.”
The Growth Plan was formally approved by the EMCCA board on 13 October, before being launched at Derby’s Museum of Making.
David Williams, chair of EMCCA’s business advisory board, said: “This is an exciting plan with a bold ambition to place the East Midlands at the very forefront of the UK economy, especially in key, growing sectors such as clean energy, medical technology and advanced manufacturing.
“Backed by a stronger local skills base, with more apprenticeships and graduate retention, businesses will be supported to grow, scale and innovate, with upgraded infrastructure to cut costs and boost competitiveness, alongside improved access to finance, investment, and export markets.”
