Fears 'freeports' could see Dorset coastal communities left behind
Maritime UK is concerned freeports will give other regions a competitive edge
Last updated 22nd Mar 2021
Tools in the freeport toolbox should be rolled out across Dorset according to maritime industry leaders.
Maritime UK say at least some of the benefits handed out to the eight new freeport locations should be utilised across the coast.
Currently only eight locations, including the Solent, have been granted the status – although 18 applied, including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Director of Maritime UK, Ben Murray said:
“We think it’s a shame that some really fantasticbids were developed such as in Dorset that unfortunately weren’t successful.
“Let’s not lose that, there’s some great projects, great proposals. Let’s see how we can deliver those by rolling out these measures as quickly as possible.”
What are Freeports?
Freeports are a unique type of port where normal tax and customs rules don’t apply. For instance, importing goods can be done with far simpler documentation and without paying tariffs
The idea is to stimulate economic activity in their areas.
Ben Murray said:
“It’s enhanced capital allowances, it’s quicker planning, reform to permitted development rights, quite technical and buereaucratic sounding things but these are things that encourage businesses to move into an area to do things they might not necessarily do as quickly or in that order.
“Whatever it is, we want to see that happen as soon as possible because there is a competition argument here; if you give a small number of parts of the country and not the rest it doesn’t really deliver that levelling up agenda, it levels up some areas and we don’t think that’s the right way to do it.”