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West Cumbria Strategic Forum (WCSF)

Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, signed a Memorandum of Agreement, on 1 November 2004, with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, West Cumbria local authorities and the North West Development Agency to safeguard West Cumbria’s economic prosperity.

The agreement was signed at the first meeting of the West Cumbria Strategic Forum, which was set up to ensure that all the bodies involved with regeneration in West Cumbria work together to meet the needs of the area.

The Strategic Forum’s primary aim is to agree a long term strategy for West Cumbria to help create a sustainable economy taking into account the threats and opportunities that nuclear decommissioning brings to the area currently so heavily dependent on the nuclear industry.

Job levels in West Cumbria in the nuclear industry were predicted to decline as commercial activities at Sellafield are reduced, although nuclear cleanup will provide some new opportunities in the area.

On 23 July 2008 Business and Enterprise Secretary, John Hutton, launched the West Cumbrian Spatial Masterplan – Britain’s Energy CoastTM at the Sellafield Visitor’s Centre in WestCumbria. You can read the press release below:

The development of the West Cumbria Spatial Masterplan was initiated by the West Cumbria Strategic Forum. The Masterplan sets out the strategies that the West Cumbrian Partners have identified as being potential key drivers to aid the regeneration of West Cumbria.

The Masterplan is essentially a prospectus for change and a blueprint for the future of West Cumbria. The Plan’s vision is set out in terms of economic growth, environmental sustainability and management and in meeting long term UK energy needs.

The aspirations set out in the Masterplan are as follows:

  • By 2027 West Cumbria will be a confident place that prides itself on its strong economy providing opportunities for all and offering a lifestyle of choice. It aims to:
    • to be globally recognised as a leading nuclear, energy, environment and related technology business cluster, building on its nuclear assets, its technology and research strengths
    • be a strong, diversified and well connected economy, with a growing, highly skilled population with high employment
    • project a positive image to the world, and be recognised by all as an area of scientific excellence, outstanding natural beauty and vibrant lifestyle, which attracts a diverse population and visitor profile
    • provide opportunities for all its communities, where geography is not a barrier to achievement and where deprivation, inequality and social immobility have been reduced.

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