News

A deal has been struck to develop a showcase Angus clean growth business park in a drive towards a zero-carbon future.

Angus Council and Dalhousie Estates have revealed the “step-change” plan for Brechin.

They have penned a memorandum of understanding for the extension of the town’s business park beside the A90 Dundee to Aberdeen dual carriageway.  And they see the location beside the trunk road as a major asset in the ambitious vision.

The scheme is part of the Mercury programme, aiming to deliver £1 billion of collaborative investment in Angus in projects including Scotland’s first drone port.

An Angus rural mobility hub is at the heart of the business park project.  It will provide the infrastructure, services and skills programme to create a low-carbon future.  The expansion plans include 25 hectares to deliver the proposed hub.  It will feature EV charging infrastructure, business space for sustainable growth, energy generation and storage, clean refuelling (biogas and hydrogen) and smart logistic solutions.

A £26.5 million Angus fund was set up for capital projects under the Tay Cities Deal.  The fund is being used to stimulate the Mercury programme.

It is the council’s £1 billion partnership involving government, public, private and community sectors.

Clean growth, low-carbon and agritech are at the heart of the Mercury investment plan.

Council leader David Fairweather said: “This is fantastic news for Brechin and an exciting opportunity to work with the private sector to explore the possibilities of combining zero-carbon energy systems with mobility services.

“This partnership continues to build on the clean growth and low-carbon development and innovation work we are delivering across Angus through the Tay Cities and Mercury programme.”

Lord Simon Ramsay from Dalhousie Estates said: ” Dalhousie Estates are delighted to support Angus Council in exploring the infrastructure and services that can enable the decarbonisation of energy through solutions that are clean, accessible and affordable.

“Angus is extremely well placed to showcase how renewable energy can be generated and supplied to our communities, particularly within the area of transportation and the hard-to-tackle heavy goods and logistics sector.

“The project has the potential to deliver a step change in clean transport infrastructure on the national trunk road network.”

A leading paper recycler has already lined up a move to the business park.  Highlander International Recycling has been given approval for a £1.5 million plant which the firm hopes will bring 20 new jobs.