The man behind a multi-billion pound plan for a port in The Wash and a road across the stretch of water says the major scheme could be fully operational by 2031.
Although stressing it is still “early days,” Lincolnshire entrepreneur James Sutcliffe (pictured) is optimistic the £3-4 billion Centre Port project, including the world’s first tidal-powered deep sea container terminal, could be up and running in 10 years.
The controversial plan could also see a road built across the Wash to connect Lincolnshire and Norfolk. The structure would utilise tidal power.
During a presentation in Skegness last Friday, Mr Sutcliffe confirmed the company has already contacted the Planning Inspectorate regarding a Development Consent Order (DCO) for the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), which he expects could take up to two-and-a-half years to process.
After obtaining the relevant permissions from the Planning Inspectorate, it would then take between four and six years to build the terminal. It would be capable of processing 1.5 million containers a year, and handling some of the world’s largest container ships.
Mr Sutcliffe said a container terminal he developed at Gdansk in Poland in 2007, took three years to build, but added that Centre Port is much larger.
He said that five shipping companies, three of which he described as some of the largest in the world, have already expressed interest in using the terminal.
The terminal will employ at least 300 people, he said, total employment effect will be “very substantial,” with the potential for major companies to build warehouses in and around the terminal area.
The plan includes building a dual carriageway to the terminal and an A road linking to Hunstanton, cutting the journey from near Skegness to just 20 minutes.
During the meeting, some attendees shared concerns about flooding and feared the development could worsen the situation for Skegness and the surrounding villages.
The scheme has been met with fierce opposition on the Norfolk side of The Wash.
Mr Sutcliffe said a major part of the work in the next two-and-a-half years would be to engage specialists and environmental and climate experts to carry out investigations in and around The Wash.
He said: “We will conduct investigations into the tides, currents and siltation, in addition to climate change enhanced storm surges to ensure that as far as possible the structure improves flood defence.”
He added: “The project is going ahead. We’ve been refining it for four years so far, which we have financed. We would really like to see the Centre Port project here in Lincolnshire because of the positive impact it will have on the whole of the Wash in terms of flood defence and, for Lincolnshire, a major boost in employment as well as supporting the need to cut carbon emissions.”
