Basildon Innovation Warehouse

Through this project the Basildon Innovation Warehouse concept will be realised, via conversion of the Green Centre in the Wat Tyler Country Park.  The Basildon Innovation Warehouse will be a co-working innovation hub aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and innovators, raising productivity and creating jobs.

The Innovation Warehouse will promote enterprise, increase productivity and skills and create new jobs in the Thames Gateway area.  It will provide an inspiring environment alongside specialist facilities, equipment and business support to new, high-tech ventures in vital science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sectors.

The Warehouse will build on the Gateway’s existing employment and entrepreneurial base and will complement the traditional business support offer. It will do this by addressing the recognised need for cutting-edge facilities, including maker space, workshops and 3D printers, alongside tailored support and networking for companies at the start-up and pre-start-up phase. It will also address the key challenges of out-commuting from the area, creating a vibrant and attractive hub for local and regional entrepreneurs.

Funding approval

The project was considered by the Accountability Board on 3rd July 2020 and the decision was made to approve the award of LGF funding to the project, subject to the following funding conditions being met:

• receipt of written confirmation from Essex County Council that full planning permission has been granted for the project;
• the final third of the 2020/21 LGF allocation being transferred by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government or the Strategic Board prioritising the project for funding, should only part of the final third of LGF be confirmed by Government.

Project Update

The project was considered by the Accountability Board on 12 February 2021 and the decision was made to remove the project from the LGF programme. The project was awarded LGF in July 2020, but given the nature of the project, in providing flexible workspace, the demand for the commercial space was uncertain. As such Basildon Borough Council took the decision not to proceed with delivery of the project.

£579m of investment to East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock

In total the SELEP Growth Deal with Government has brought £579m of investment to East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock. Over the lifetime of the Growth Deal (2015-2021) we aim to deliver 78,000 jobs and 29,000 homes across the SELEP area, with the Deal set to attract a further £960m of investment into the South East over the six year period. Find out more here