Moorside goes forward for chance to host UKâs first prototype nuclear fusion plant
Moorside
West Cumbria’s Moorside site has been selected as the county’s contender to go forward to a national competition to identify the site to host the UKâs first prototype nuclear fusion plant and surrounding science, technology and business park.
The site, next to the Sellafield nuclear complex, emerged as the favoured Cumbrian location following a mini-siting competition led by Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership on behalf of a range of partners.
Fusion represents the next generation of clean energy production and was described by Professor Stephen Hawking in 2010 as the one scientific discovery or advance he felt would most transform society.
A final decision about the future of Newton Rigg has been announced.
The final element of the Further Education Commissioner-led Newton Rigg Strategic Review has concluded that it had been unable to identify an organisation to continue delivering sustainable land based education at the campus, and that Askham Bryan College should continue with finding a buyer for the site.
The review identified that most provision currently delivered at Newton Rigg can be provided in Cumbria by other post-16 FE providers. In addition, other arrangements to ensure the continuity of land based provision in the area are being developed.
The review steering groupâs recommendation was made during its final meeting on Friday.
Building work is set to begin next week on a multi-million pound Civil Engineering Training Centre at Lakes College. In a major boost for the scheme, the Department for Education awarded £1.4million for the project. This will be added to £900,000 from Cumbria LEP’s Growth Deal fund, and £550,000 of college funds. The centre, earmarked for land opposite the college’s main entrance at Lillyhall, Workington, is due to open its doors to the first students next September – the same time the college launches its new T Level courses, which are the equivalent to three A Levels. College principal Chris Nattress said: “I’m thrilled that we are commencing the construction of our Civil Engineering Training Centre, and have appointed a local contractor in Story Contracting to work with us.