A make-or-break decision is due to be made on the next phase of a £50million development that will transform an industrial estate and create more than 700 jobs.

The iSH (Industrial Solutions Hub) programme is designed to create jobs and opportunities for businesses and organisations to collaborate and enhance skills while harnessing a range of economic and social benefits on behalf of the community.

Leconfield Industrial Estate in Cleator Moor was purchased by the former Copeland Council in 2021 to deliver the project, which has been funded by the Government and several other strategic partners.

Phase two of the development is now on hold after tenders were sought for a contract to support delivery of the project from the concept design stage to completion of construction - estimated to begin in November 2023 and complete in June 2026.

A decision on awarding the £1.7million contract has been referred to Cumberland Council’s Executive committee and will be made at a meeting on October 3.

Due to the tight timescales involved, a mini competition was undertaken through the Crown Commercial Services Estates Management Framework, which resulted in Avison Young being the preferred contractor.

The Executive is recommended to agree to the contact award, which will allow the project to progress to meet the delivery programme deadlines.

If the Executive choose not to award a contract to Avison Young, it could lead to additional costs being incurred for a new procurement exercise be carried out.

If a decision is made not to progress the programme, it may also result in funding already received being repaid to the funders, as per the terms and conditions of the grant agreement.

The contract will be funded from a combination of grant funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, capital borrowing, funding from NDA (Nuclear Decommissioning Agency) and Sellafield Ltd, totalling £50million.

A Cumberland Council spokesperson said: “The development of the iSH Enterprise Campus at Leconfield is progressing.

"It has many workstreams and the award of this contract relates to the delivery of one element of the project to allow it to progress. 

“Other elements of the project which do not rely on this contract award are underway.

“The contract award has been through a competitive tender exercise, and as such officers are recommending award to the winning tenderer as outlined in the report.”