Scarborough Muir Group (SMG), the joint venture between Scarborough Group International and Inverkeithing-based Muir Group, has secured £300,000 of UK Government funding through the Site Accelerator Grant programme to carry out enabling works at Queensferry One, Rosyth.
The grant will support advanced infrastructure works for Q1 50, a fully consented 50,000 sq ft industrial and logistics scheme at Queensferry One, a 120-acre former Ministry of Defence site on the Forth Estuary with the capacity to deliver more than 1.2 million sq ft of industrial and logistics space.
The award forms part of a £3.3 million UK Government investment into 16 Industrial Strategy Zone projects across England, Scotland and Wales, designed to clear bottlenecks holding developments back. Through the Site Accelerator Grant programme, support is focused on tackling pre-development issues that would otherwise stall major private investment, reflecting the Government’s commitment to keeping projects moving forward and ensuring that Freeports remain at the heart of the growth agenda.
While detailed planning consent is in place for Q1 50, legacy infrastructure and abnormal ground conditions have constrained development to date. The Site Accelerator Grant will fund the removal of existing foundations and the formation of a development platform, reducing delivery risk and allowing the project to progress.
Queensferry One is located adjacent to Junction 1 of the M90, the Queensferry Crossing and the Port of Rosyth, providing strong road, rail, sea and air connectivity to Central Scotland, the wider UK and international markets. The site sits within an established industrial area supporting manufacturing, maritime, defence and renewable energy businesses, benefits from a workforce of more than 2.25 million people within an hour’s drive, and is located within a designated tax site as part of the Forth Green Freeport.
The Forth Green Freeport has been established to accelerate investment in strategically located industrial sites, support advanced manufacturing, logistics and renewable energy activity, and help drive economic growth while supporting the transition to net zero. As part of this, businesses locating within designated tax sites may be eligible for a package of incentives, including enhanced capital allowances, relief from non-domestic rates, reduced employer National Insurance contributions and land and buildings transaction tax relief, intended to support investment and job creation.
Due to its scale, connectivity and proximity to the Port of Rosyth, Queensferry One plays a key role within the Green Freeport.
William McAlister, spokesperson for Scarborough Muir Group said:
“This funding marks an important step forward for Queensferry One and reflects the scale and long-term potential of the site.
“By supporting early enabling works, the Site Accelerator Grant allows the development to move into its next phase and improves readiness for delivery. That progress is particularly important given the ongoing shortage of modern, well-located industrial and logistics space across Scotland’s Central Belt.
“Queensferry One’s connectivity, skills base and position within the Forth Green Freeport mean it is well placed to respond to market demand and attract future investment aligned with the Freeport’s objectives.”
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed said:
“From offshore wind manufacturing on the Humber to new clean energy facilities in Pembrokeshire, this backing for our Freeports will generate real economic growth across the country.
“By tackling the barriers that developers face early on, we’re helping to unlock significant private investment and create thousands of good jobs in clean energy and advanced manufacturing.”
Sarah Murray, CEO of Forth Green Freeport said:
“The Forth Green Freeport is all about accelerating the investment opportunities in key areas to create economic benefit both locally and nationally. With strong governance and adherence to the our Fair Work and Net Zero charters, the FGF can support the just transition to net zero by 2045. This accelerator grant is a welcome boost to Queensferry One in Rosyth which is a key part of the freeport. The grant will unlock the site’s potential attraction to investors who can also benefit from the connectivity and proximity to the Port of Rosyth.”
Enabling works are expected to begin shortly.