Last updated 16:03, Wednesday, 24 September 2008

REGENERATION organisations have welcomed the announcement that the National Nuclear Laboratory will be based in West Cumbria.

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THINGS HAVE MOVED ON: Nuclear opportunities manager at Westlakes Science Park, Rosie Mathisen

Members of West Lakes Renaissance and Cumbria Vision were at the Sellafield Visitor’s Centre last month to hear John Hutton, Secretary of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, announce the plans at the launch of Britain’s Energy Coast.

Rosie Mathisen, nuclear opportunities director at West Lakes Renaissance, said: “This is a major coup for West Cumbria and we are delighted this national and indeed internationally important facility will be based here.

“It will play a crucial role in retaining the area’s high levels of skills and expertise as well as support the UK’s nuclear energy policy ensuring our position in a global market. We will also work with the Government and with the new contractor for the laboratory to promote opportunities for commercialising new high technology-based business out of the work of the lab.”

The National Nuclear Laboratory will be formed from research company Nexia Solutions and the existing British Technology Centre, which are both based in West Cumbria.

The facility will provide training, research and development and support for the UK’s nuclear industry and beyond, with an emphasis on decommissioning.

The National Nuclear Laboratory is based around the capability already residing in Nexia Solutions Ltd.

Dr Peter Bleasdale, managing director of Nexia Solutions and the NNL, said: “Exciting times are ahead for all who work in and support the National Nuclear Laboratory and it’s our objective to make sure we deliver a National Lab that the nation can be proud of.

“We expect the National Nuclear Laboratory to make a massive contribution to the nuclear revival in the UK and play the key role in safeguarding and strengthening the country’s essential nuclear skills and capabilities.

“The lab will build on the exceptional technical, financial and safety performance of Nexia Solutions.”

The £2 billion package of regeneration projects will help build on the region’s nuclear expertise and diversify into other energy technologies including offshore wind, tidal oil and gas.

Roger Liddle, chairman of Cumbria Vision, said: “The fact that the National Nuclear Laboratory is to be based in West Cumbria is Government recognition that the birthplace of the world’s civil nuclear industry is still positioned at the cutting edge of developing new skills and technology of this increasingly important sector.

“Becoming a hub of knowledge and expertise boasting some of the best brains in the world, West Cumbria can play a vital role in the national and international nuclear renaissance.”

The National Nuclear Laboratory will play a major part in ongoing efforts to create a thriving economy in West Cumbria.

Mrs Mathisen said: “The National Nuclear Laboratory is yet another important milestone for the Britain’s Energy Coast programme, which complements the new skills centre Energus, the University of Cumbria’s new campus in Lillyhall as well as investment at Westlakes Research Institute on Westlakes Science and Technology Park.

“These four elements represent a major push to develop skills in West Cumbria so that we can realise our vision of creating a globally renowned centre of expertise and innovation in the nuclear sector.”