East Midlands Freeport
Trusted advisors of East Midlands Freeport – transforming the region through economic growth
Strategic importance and economic impact
The East Midlands Freeport (EMF) is the UK's only inland freeport, strategically positioned around East Midlands Airport, which is the second busiest freight airport in the UK, second only to Heathrow. Its central location provides exceptional connectivity by road, rail and air, creating a nationally significant hub for trade, logistics, advanced manufacturing and clean energy growth.
Established to attract investment, stimulate innovation, create employment opportunities and drive regeneration across the region, the Freeport has the potential to deliver significant economic benefits across the East Midlands. EMF anticipates an economic output of £9 billion GVA over the next 25 years and the opportunity to create 28,000 jobs directly at Freeport sites.
The Freeport comprises three strategic sites
We advised the Freeport's senior leadership team on the delivery strategy for its three tax sites, providing strategic insight to unlock development opportunities and overcome key delivery challenges.
Our recommendations, set out in a strategic insight report completed in early 2025, established an ongoing advisory role, supporting the implementation of priority actions and the successful delivery of the Freeport's objectives through several workstreams:
Unlocking growth
- Developing a freeport-wide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) spanning Rushcliffe, South Derbyshire and North West Leicestershire to capture and pool financial contributions from development across the three LPA’s to fund the required road infrastructure to accommodate and unlock growth.
- Local Plan representations, LPA engagement and Examination in Public (EIP) participation to ensure all emerging Local Plans contain positive land use allocations for each of the Freeport sites and help to achieve the purpose of the SPD.
- Strategic advice in respect of the current Local Development Order (LDO) in place for the redevelopment of Ratcliffe Power Station.
Ratcliffe-on-Soar Former Power Station
Collaborative approach
- Liaison with the Freeport tax site operators to shape planning strategy and aid delivery.
- Representing the Freeports' interests with regard to Segro’s DCO project on the EMAGIC site, including participation in the examination.
- Planning updates across the Freeport area and strategic advice in respect of planning and local Government reform.
