Council unveils landmark strategic investment site at UKREiiF 2026
Building on recent significant investment successes a major new employment-led development opportunity in North East England has been unveiled today at UKREiiF 2026, as Northumberland County Council officially launches the Northumberland Strategic Investment Site (N-SIS).
Extending to 77 hectares with the ability to deploy 3.25 million sq. ft of industrial space, N-SIS represents one of the most significant new strategic development opportunities in the UK, and follows closely behind the £10bn investment into the County to create one of Europe’s largest Datacentre Campus’. N-SIS is designed to attract large-scale industrial occupiers and global investors seeking a well-connected, future-ready location to support advanced manufacturing, energy, and wider industrial operations.
Located in South East Northumberland, N-SIS has been master planned to deliver a high-quality, employment-led scheme capable of accommodating major inward investment projects on the 77 hectares of development land, suitable for large-scale industrial and advanced manufacturing uses with flexible plot configurations to support bespoke occupier requirement and capacity for high-value job creation and long-term economic growth in the county.
The site builds upon recent successes including the £10bn Blackstone QTS Data Centre Campus and JDR Cables £130m new advance manufacturing development at the adjacent Northumberland Energy Park. Neighbouring Northumberland’s AI Growth Zone and the Advanced Manufacturing and Green Industries Investment Zone sites, designated by UK Government, N-SIS creates new large scale investment opportunity, ensuring the county’s reputation as a globally competitive destination for investment, particularly for sectors aligned with clean energy, offshore renewables, and advanced engineering.
A key strength of N-SIS is its exceptional connectivity, enabling occupiers to operate efficiently at both national and international scale. The site benefits from immediate access to the A19 and A1 corridors, providing fast connections across the North East and to wider UK markets. The nearby Port of Blyth provides a major deepwater logistics hub, supporting offshore energy, subsea and heavy industry supply chains. The site benefits from being part of the Energy Central cluster, including global leading innovation and test facilities at the Offshore & Renewable Energy Catapult.
The reintroduced Northumberland Line will enhance passenger connectivity, improving access to skilled labour across the region coupled with rail freight connectivity via proximity to the Port of Blyth, enabling efficient rail-linked logistics for heavy and oversized cargo
N-SIS is uniquely positioned to support energy-intensive users, with access to existing and planned national and regional grid infrastructure including opportunities to connect into clean and renewable energy sources coupled with access to high-capacity digital infrastructure, supporting data-intensive industries and advanced manufacturing processes.
Northumberland County Council has worked in partnership with Turner & Townsend and Ryder Architecture to develop a comprehensive masterplan for N-SIS.
The masterplan sets out a clear framework for high-quality design and place-making, infrastructure delivery and phasing, environmental sustainability. This collaborative approach ensures the site is investment-ready and aligned with the needs of modern occupiers.
Richard Wearmouth, Deputy Leader of Northumberland County Council, said: “The launch of the Northumberland Strategic Investment Site (N-SIS) marks a hugely significant moment for our county and for the wider North East and UK economy.
“This is a site of genuine national importance, 77 hectares of prime development land, designed to attract global investors and create 5,000 high-quality jobs for our communities.
“With exceptional connectivity and access to the energy infrastructure required by modern industry, N-SIS places Northumberland firmly on the map as a destination for large-scale, future-facing investment.”
He added: “N-SIS has been carefully planned to meet the demands of today’s industrial occupiers and tomorrow’s industries.
“Working with Turner & Townsend and Ryder Architecture, we have created a masterplan that combines scale, flexibility and sustainability, ensuring the site can accommodate major investment across sectors such as offshore renewable energy, electrification and advanced manufacturing. Located just minutes away from deep-water Port of Blyth and the new £8.35 million dock at Northumberland Energy Park, the site offers prime investment opportunities for companies seeking a near port setting with global shipping capabilities. It also offers the chance to be part of Energy Central, Northumberland’s offshore renewable energy cluster, in a location synonymous with offshore wind.”
“This is about creating a globally competitive offer, with the infrastructure, connectivity and energy capacity that investors now expect when making long-term location decisions.”