A PLAN sets out the work being done to to turn the Solent into the UK’s “capital of coastal renaissance”.

Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has published its delivery plan for the next year, setting out aims to get the region on a path to green recovery.

It aims to improve career opportunities and ensure communities thrive.

READ MORE: Hampshire expecting go-ahead for thousands of jobs and millions of pounds in improvements

LEP chair Rachael Randall said: "Our delivery plan supports our long-term vision: Solent 2050, which will level up our region, create jobs, drive innovation, and ensure a prosperous economy. 

"The Solent LEP is committed to building positive, sustainable growth for our region with a continued investment focus on the Solent's green recovery, and the delivery plan for the coming year demonstrates how we will work with partners to establish routes into a new age of careers for local people, creating jobs within environmental and technological industries that will take the region to a more sustainable, net-zero future.

“Our delivery plan shows how we will work with business, schools and colleges, local councils and national organisations over the coming year to provide communities right across the region with greater opportunities that will inspire the future workforce, create an outstanding business environment that encourages innovation, fosters collaboration and enables businesses of all sizes and sectors to succeed.

"The Solent region is a great place to be - to live, work and study. We want to maximise our region's mix of unique natural beauty and cultural heritage to ensure a thriving visitor and creative economy; ensure people at all stages of their career can build the skills they need for the jobs they aspire to, and work with businesses and educators to bridge the skills gap so our region can truly thrive."

READ MORE: Tens of thousands of jobs and billions of pounds could flow from economic plan

The Solent 2050 strategy sets out seven key priorities for the region. The delivery plan highlights current projects including:

  • investment of up to £7.67million in public infrastructure at Centenary Quay, Southampton;
  • up to £14m of spending at North Whiteley to support new housing;
  • up to £5.6m in improvements to the A326 and up to £750,000 in broadband in the Waterside area of the New Forest;
  • and work to build on the momentum of Southampton’s 2025 City of Culture bid.

Anne-Marie Mountifield, chief executive of Solent LEP, is chair of Maritime UK Solent, the industrial cluster for the region, which was established by the LEP.

Ms Mountifield said: "A key part of our strategy for the next year is to move forward with Maritime UK Solent which promotes the Solent's world-leading marine and maritime business cluster on an international stage, helping to realise the full potential of this significant sector. It will play a key role in the future prosperity of our region and to levelling up through encouraging investment, driving innovation and pioneering green technology while providing skills opportunities and a brighter future for our young people. 

“We are seeing the fruits of collaboration that drives innovation, including a successful bid led by Solent University to develop an Institute of Technology; it will focus on higher technical skills across digital technologies, engineering and maritime, offering the opportunities our communities a future that they deserve and a pipeline of skills which employers need for continued success."

The full plan can be read at solentlep.org.uk

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