Westlakes Science & Technology Park
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| Westlakes Science & Technology Park | |
|---|---|
| Name | Westlakes Science & Technology Park |
| Caption | Aerial view |
| Type | Science park |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Location | Moor Row, Cumbria, England |
Westlakes Science & Technology Park Westlakes Science & Technology Park is a science and technology campus near Moor Row in Cumbria, England, developed to support energy transition, nuclear power research, and environmental technology. The park sits within a regional network linking industrial centres such as Sellafield, research institutions including the University of Manchester and University of Cumbria, and national initiatives like the Industrial Strategy White Paper and UK Research and Innovation. It hosts a mix of laboratories, incubation units, and conference facilities aimed at firms from startups to multinational corporations such as Rolls-Royce, GE, and technology consultancies.
History
The site was established in the early 21st century following partnerships between regional development agencies such as Cumbria County Council and national bodies including the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Energy Technologies Institute. Its development was influenced by deindustrialisation trends seen in former mining districts like Whitehaven and policy programmes exemplified by the Northern Powerhouse agenda and the European Regional Development Fund. Early occupants included research spin-outs from Lancaster University and collaborative projects with Sellafield Ltd. Over time the park attracted firms engaged with projects linked to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, clean energy demonstrations connected to Carbon Capture and Storage, and innovation projects funded by bodies such as the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
Location and Site
The park occupies brownfield land near the village of Moor Row, positioned within proximity to the Cumbrian Coast Line and arterial roads connecting to the M6 motorway and ports like Workington Harbour and Heysham Port. The site benefits from adjacency to remediation and reuse projects associated with former colliery sites in the Lake District hinterland and frameworks managed by the Environment Agency. It is located within the administrative area of Copeland (borough) and sits near conservation landscapes overseen by organisations such as the Lake District National Park Authority. The physical masterplan integrates research buildings, test plots, secure compounds for radioactive-material handling demonstrations, and green infrastructure aligned with standards promoted by RIBA and BRE.
Research and Facilities
Facilities at the park include wet and dry laboratories, high-bay test halls, controlled-environment rooms, and data centres suitable for simulation and modelling used by groups working on nuclear engineering, offshore wind, and marine energy prototypes. The campus supports experimentation relevant to programmes undertaken by National Grid and projects funded through the Horizon 2020 framework and successor schemes like Horizon Europe. Collaborative facilities have hosted consortia involving Amec Foster Wheeler (now part of WSP Global), Wood Group, and specialist research teams spun out from University College London and Imperial College London. Technical services include radiation measurement laboratories compliant with standards from bodies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and environmental monitoring suites compatible with directives from DEFRA.
Tenants and Partnerships
Tenants range from SMEs and start-ups incubated via partnerships with Innovate UK and local enterprise agencies to larger contractors engaged by Sellafield Ltd and manufacturers supplying EDF Energy and Siemens. The park has hosted ventures linked to university technology transfer offices such as Manchester Enterprise Centre and collaborations with national laboratories including AEA Technology and the National Nuclear Laboratory. Strategic partnerships extend to regional skills providers like West Lakes Academy and vocational training consortia associated with Institute of Physics outreach and City & Guilds accreditation schemes. Industry clusters on site foster supply-chain relationships with engineering firms contracted to projects by Babcock International and research collaborations with Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science.
Economic and Community Impact
The development has been promoted as a stimulus for jobs in a post-industrial economy, aiming to replicate regeneration narratives employed in regions such as Teesside and Tyneside. Economic inputs from the park include employment in STEM roles, apprenticeship programmes coordinated with National Apprenticeship Service, and inward investment campaigns aligned with VisitEngland and local chambers like the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce. Community engagement initiatives have linked the park to school outreach via partnerships with STEM Learning and public events coordinated with Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership. Environmental monitoring and remediation work has intersected with programmes administered by Natural England and local conservation NGOs.
Governance and Funding
Governance involves a mixture of public-sector stakeholders, private investors, and academic partners; contributors have included Cumbria County Council, regional development funds tied to the European Union Structural Funds, and private sector backers. Funding streams have combined capital grants from bodies such as the Homes and Communities Agency (now Homes England), project grants from Innovate UK, and commercial leases with firms including Rolls-Royce plc. Strategic oversight has responded to national policy reviews such as the Science and Innovation Audits and local industrial strategies prepared in consultation with the Local Enterprise Partnership.
Transportation and Accessibility
Access is provided via the local road network linking to the A595 road and regional rail connections on the Cumbrian Coast Line, with nearest passenger stations serving communities like Whitehaven and Workington. Freight and logistics access is facilitated by proximity to ports including Workington Harbour and rail freight services connected to the West Coast Main Line. Plans for further connectivity have referenced regional transport strategies coordinated by Transport for the North and rural access initiatives supported by Highways England.