£25 million nuclear research centre boost for Rotherham

A LANDMARK £25 million nuclear research centre is to be built in Rotherham.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson yesterday announced that the pioneering investment would be based alongside the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre at Catcliffe.

The new base—known as the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre—is seen as a major boost for the region's manufacturing industry which will be at the heart of the UK's energy sector.

Announcing the news at the AMRC, Lord Mandelson said that it was part of the Government’s low carbon industry strategy.

It is believed that around 150 jobs could be created in construction and possibly 30 to 40 afterwards.

Rotherham Borough Council Leader Roger Stone said that it was “absolutely fantastic.”

“It's important to say that it’s not a nuclear establishment, it’s a research area that’s going to be doing some of the key work for the nuclear industry worldwide,” said Cllr Stone.

“The skills created will take us on to the next generation for young people to pick up those skills.

“We've lost coal and steel, and we’re still struggling with job losses at Corus, but I believe it will help us raise the skill base which is what we are trying to do."

The Department of Business, Industry and skills will put up £15 million and Yorkshire Forward is investing up to £10m in the centre, which will be led by the University of Sheffield in partnership with the University of Manchester and Rolls-Royce as a lead industrial partner.

In a further boost, Lord Mandelson announced that Rolls-Royce's planned civil nuclear facility will also be developed in South Yorkshire, creating more than 300 jobs.

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