27/4/2009 - County council welcomes West Cumbria Vision launch

The launch of a new board that will oversee a multi-million pound regeneration programme to transform west Cumbria into Britain’s Energy Coast has been welcomed by Cumbria County Council.

Today (Monday April 27), Brian Wilson, director of several energy companies and a former Government Energy Minister, was officially introduced as chairman of West Cumbria Vision –the new single decision making body for all regeneration activity across Allerdale and Copeland –during a launch event at Sellafield Visitor Centre.

And the event also saw the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Nuclear Management Partners and Sellafield Ltd join as funding partners to support West Cumbria Vision in delivering the Britain’s Energy Coast Masterplan –a package of regeneration projects that will establish west Cumbria as a major national hub for low carbon and renewable energy generation.

As the founding partner and accountable body of Cumbria Vision –the economic development agency West Cumbria Vision operates under –the county council has played a major role in driving forward the organisation.

Councillor Tim Knowles, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for economic development, was the interim chair of West Cumbria Vision’s board and five months ago was given the task of overseeing its early development.

He said: "This launch is a vital step in the way we respond to the economic challenges in west Cumbria.

"West Cumbria Vision has been set up to act as a united driving force for the economic regeneration of the west of the county and to achieve the full opportunities in the West Cumbria Master Plan.

"I’m proud to have been able to play a part in overseeing the development of West Cumbria Vision as interim chair and welcome Brian’s appointment and the alignment of funding with our nuclear partners.

"Strong leadership is a key element required in taking West Cumbria Vision forward and as well as Brian being appointed as chair we have been recruiting key private sector board members over the past few months. 

"West Cumbria has an international reputation as a centre for the energy industry and we are now in a position to ensure this is built upon by making the Britain’s Energy Coast Master Plan a reality."

ENDS

Media enquiries to media officer John Ballard on 01228 226330