The aim of a FEZ is to help improve the food supply chain by linking farmers and producers at the very start of the food chain to food manufacturing, distribution and retail. This in turn will bring increased sustainability to the food supply chain process, attract food and drink related business to the area, create new jobs and increase economic activity.
The FEZ effectively acts as a Local Development Order in local planning terms and creates a simplified planning process for the site to enable food and drink related development to be brought forward more quickly and efficiently. The LDO will grant outline planning permission for the erection of buildings and the use of the land for food and drink businesses of a certain size within specific planning use classes.
North Somerset already has a strong food and drink sector, but it is anticipated that the FEZ will create a significant opportunity to attract and develop a cluster of food and drink businesses at Junction 21 Enterprise Area (J21 EA) with its excellent accessibility to the motorway network, Bristol Port and Airport. The Food WorksSW, a food and drink centre of excellence, sits at the heart of the FEZ.
The Food WorksSW, Food and Drink Innovation Centre sits within Zone 1 of the LDO. Zone 2 will over time provide essential grow on space for food and drink businesses. This will enable the area to attract larger business looking for more sizeable premises and support smaller companies that have initially been based at The Food WorksSW to grow and move to larger premises.
Further Information
The Food Enterprise Zone Booklet provides more detail on North Somerset’s plans for the Food Enterprise Zone.
For further information on The Food WorksSW, a link to that page can be found here.
To register your interest in the food-grade business units, product development facilities and meeting room hire, please contact the Economic Development team in the first instance for more detailed information.
Email: business@n-somerset.gov.uk
Tel: 01934 426 266