East Midlands Freeport

We are proud to be included in a partnership that is bidding to Government to create a freeport in our region. 

The Government's goal is to create national hubs for global trade and investment, promote regeneration and job creation and create hotbeds for innovation.

East Midlands Freeport | Latest news

On 30 November 2023 the Freeport revealed its plans to build a zero carbon innovation centre 

In November 2023 the Government announced in its Autumn Statement that the window to claim freeport tax reliefs will be extended by an additional five years.

On 30 March 2023 The Government announced that the East Midlands Freeport had been given formal approval to open for business. 

On 24 January 2023 the Freeport annnounced the appointment of Tom Newman-Taylor as its Chief Executive

On 21 June 2022 the Freeport appointed Nora Senior CBE as non-executive Chairperson of the Board. 

On 1 March 2022 East Midlands Freeport secured formal Government approval for its plans to offer businesses locating in the Freeport special incentives.

On 14 April 2022 the East Midlands Freeport submitted its Full Business Case to Government. 

The East Midlands Freeport has the ambition to:

• Drive significant new job growth in the region
• Support regeneration and social mobility
• Boost skills and opportunities
• Drive local, regional and international trade
• Support the ‘levelling up’ agenda
• Harness innovation and enterprise
• Position the region as a ‘green tech’ trailblazer
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in pursuit of Net Zero.

The East Midlands Freeport will be located at three key places: 

• East Midlands Airport, the UK’s largest freight airport, and the SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway and Strategic Rail Freight Interchange 
• The Ratcliffe on Sour power station site, which will be developed to into a zero carbon technology and energy hub for the East Midlands
• The East Midlands Intermodal Park located next to the Toyota manufacturing plant, which will be transformed into a rail connected business park, moving more freight off the road and onto rail.

Through this partnership, NWLDC joins with five other councils, six universities, business groups and industry leaders in a shared vision that will bring jobs and investment to our region, benefitting local people. 

Involvement in the freeport partnership does not affect the decision-making process of the district council.

Visit the East Midlands Freeport website for more information and news.

NWLDC role in the East Midlands Freeport 

• Strategic partner and board member

NWLDC is one of the strategic partners working on the development of the East Midlands Freeport, which will be partly based within our district. We have joined with five other councils, business groups and industry leaders in a shared vision that will bring jobs and investment to our region.

Whilst Leicestershire County Council is the lead public sector body on the East Midlands Freeport Board, NWLDC is represented on the board. This is important to make sure the interests of North West Leicestershire’s communities are considered and accounted for in any plans.

Our involvement in the East Midlands Freeport partnership does not affect the decision-making process of the district council, including on planning matters.

• Planning authority

NWLDC is the local planning authority that will deal with any planning matters associated with the Freeport that fall within our district.

No decisions have been taken on the development of land south of the airport. As local planning authority, development here would be considered through a planning application, with all material planning considerations taken into account, or through the current Local Plan review.