BASE HEADER

Yes

ID sylw: 106436

Derbyniwyd: 05/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Porterbrook Mid Leasing Company

Asiant : Planning Prospects

Porterbrook supports the identification of the long Marston rail innovation centre as major investment site (mis.3). With over 15km of sidings and a unique 3.5km test track loop, as well as 24-hour site security, the long Marston rail innovation centre supports owners and operators managing rail rolling stock of all types. It has a long history of supporting the delivery and introduction of new trains and rail technology onto the national railway and offers both passenger and freight operators the space to test in a live environment, connected to the mainline and supported by an experienced workforce. There is no other circular test rail track of this type in existence in the uk meaning Porterbrook has the unique opportunity to provide and improve the long Marston rail innovation centre facility in support of the UK’s railway. In short, the rail innovation centre at long Marston is an invaluable local and national asset for the railway to test and trial new technologies prior to their introduction to the operational network. Since taking over the operation of the rail innovation centre site in 2021, as a tenant Porterbrook invested over £13 million to modernise and enhance the facilities there. It has since acquired the site (in March 2024) and is investing further and significantly to support its modernisation and improved operation. This will include further significant investment to upgrade and electrify the test track loop, which was granted planning permission by Stratford-on-Avon district council in September 2024 and which Porterbrook is currently delivering. This additional investment will take the total invested by Porterbrook in the rail innovation centre to £75 million. Further investment and improvements are anticipated, and it is against this positive backdrop that the identification of the site as a major investment site (MIS.3) to safeguard the rail innovation centre for rail-based employment and research and development opportunities for intensification of the site is supported. Similarly, draft policy direction 14, which sets out to protect the MIS’ for employment uses and form the main focus for new employment development during the plan period, is also supported.