Choice Locations

A unique environment supporting healthy industrial growth
Fenland is developing a dynamic and diverse economy. It already has the most productive farmland in the country and a food processing industry that is second to none within the UK. It is now home to a wide range of companies that have successfully taken root in this fertile region and is set to become one of the best areas within the South East for economic and social development.

Access
Many companies have looked to Fenland's new horizons and are
glad of the result

Fenland has many bustling market towns that are the root and stock of this historic and hardworking region. The road and rail networks throughout this area provide direct access to the major East Coast Ports, Peterborough, Kings Lynn and beyond.

At the southern end of this area is Cambridge, an international focus of science, technology and education convenient for the whole of the South East and within easy reach of the heart of UK's manufacturing and business centres in London and the Midlands.

Transport
Accessible sea port links at Wisbech, Sutton Bridge, Kings Lynn,
Harwich and Felixstowe

Roads
Fenland is near to the national trunk road networks via the A47 to the A1, A14 and M11 and well placed for the Midlands, London and the East Coast Ports. There is also a good network of well maintained but underused local roads which provide easy stress-free motoring for leisure, family and business use.

Ports
Wisbech Port handles regular cargoes of timber and steel from Scandinavia and Northern Europe and is now gearing up for leisure with the development of 150 metres of moorings. The ports of Sutton Bridge and Kings Lynn are also within easy reach, dealing with timber imports from Russia and Scandinavia, liquid bulk cargoes and industrial coal etc. Further to the east are the ports of Harwich and Felixstowe, providing a major coastal gateway to Northern Europe, Scandinavia and beyond.

Rail
March has a busy passenger service with excellent connections to the main north-south Inter-city network at Cambridge and Peterborough. There are opportunities to develop Rail Freight investment at key sites in March in the near future.

Air
The International Airports at Stansted, Norwich, East Midlands and London-Luton are within convenient reach. The smaller local airports of Peterborough and Cambridge are an ideal opportunity for business and private use by the Fenland community; Cambridge - providing scheduled services to Amsterdam and the Channel Islands as well as air taxis and chartered flights, Peterborough Business Airport - catering for business aircraft and executive jets. Stansted Airport which is easily reached from the M11 and via rail shuttle link from March, is developing an increasingly wide range of scheduled flights and charter destinations.

"The land is a canvas upon which our history and future are painted"

Wide skies and open vistas. Historic drainage channels and havens for wildlife - the Fens landscape is spectacular.

Photography, painting, walking, cycling, fishing and boating are all amply served by the many reserves scattered throughout the region, giving opportunities for wildlife watching by day and stars by night.

In the 17th century the Dutch drainage engineer, Vermuyden, transformed the landscape of the Fens. His work helped drain the Fenland marshes. It provided natural links to watercourses that sustain the land, maintaining havens for wildlife and giving the area its unique atmosphere. The flocks of ducks, geese and swans found on Welney Washes are evidence of the attraction.

Today our rich land yields fine quality produce - from cereals to root crops with peas and beans nestling amongst strawberry fields and orchards.

"Fenland market towns developed as island settlements"

Chatteris
The southernmost town with almost 9,000 residents provides industrial development opportunities on zoned land from 1 acre - 7 acres. The town remains one of the fastest growing in East Anglia for several years being closer to Cambridge and Huntingdon and convenient for Peterborough and Ely. Now the base for the South Fens Business Centre - links with Cambridge and Peterborough can now be better established.

March
The historic "railway town" with a population of almost 20,000. March is the administrative centre of the District and a key service centre for retail, educational and leisure uses. March Trading Park offers a range of industrial development opportunities which are set to increase as the link road from the A141 to Hundred Road is completed. This will open up important rail related investment which is already planned to create 200 related engineering jobs in the town.

Whittlesey
A historic market town with a population of 14,000 and situated near to Peterborough and major road networks (A605 and A1). There are almost 20 acres of industrial land available with potential to extend railway sidings onto the site. The town's prosperity is built around the rich brick clays (now owned by Hanson Brick) and McCain's potato chip plant, which is one of the largest in Europe.

Wisbech
The historic capital of the Fens with its fine Georgian Brinks and some 20,000 residents but with a catchment population of over 60,000. It is the major centre for retail, employment, recreation and education within Fenland. Situated on the A47 it has links to major road networks (through Peterborough) to the West and Kings Lynn, Norwich and Great Yarmouth to the East. Wisbech offers a range of business investment opportunities which will soon the expanded with the major proposals for the development of the Nene Waterfront.

Heritage
Fenland offers a great deal to visitors and residents alike. With outstanding Churches and Georgian town architecture the area is rich in historical connections, stretching back to Roman times through such well known figures as Hereward the Wake and the luckless King John, who lost his baggage train together with a King's fortune in the Wash near Wisbech in 1216.

The unique nature of the Fens, with its vast expanses and natural marshlands offer a comprehensive choice of activities. From waterway cruising, angling, cycling, walking, golfing, horseriding and birdwatching to exploring the history and heritage of the towns and villages - there is always a welcome from the Fenland people. Hotels throughout the district are ideal venues for the discerning visitor looking for a short break to unwind.

Shopping
Shoppers throughout Fenland enjoy not only a comprehensive range of shops but also the rare commodities of free parking and friendly personal service. Wisbech, March, Chatteris and Whittlesey town centres have recently undergone extensive environmental improvements which has served to increase the joy and safety of family shopping. These four market towns provide for most shopping needs and present a good selection of specialist shops, traditional markets and supermarkets.

Peterborough and Cambridge are the main retail and entertainment centres for the Fenland area and are within easy travelling distance, whether for a major shopping expedition, an evening out, sporting or cultural events.

Fenland provides a wealth of housing choices coupled with space that many envy. Here you will find an array of attractive settings from the busy historic market towns of Wisbech, March, Whittlesey and Chatteris to tranquil village locations. A diverse range of housing choices are on offer; modern housing estates, village/town dwellings and the splendour of period properties such as the Georgian houses overlooking the River Nene at Wisbech. There are amenities for people at all stages of family life and with prices to suit all pockets.

Attractive housing options are matched by region's educational facilities where the Community Colleges have developed as important resource centres providing Lifelong Learning opportunities. Fenland Colleges have a strong tradition of linking education to the needs of local industry and offer a wide range of vocational and academic courses, suitable for all ages, with Outreach centres in Chatteris, Whittlesey and March. Higher Education opportunities in the region include Anglia Polytechnic University, the University of Cambridge and the University of East Anglia.

People - our best assets

Fenland's rural economy is moving away from reliance on agriculture towards greater added-value activities within a whole range of independent industries. The Food Chain industry sectors are increasingly sophisticated, requiring a great deal of flexibility and multi-skilling. Fenland's workforce have delighted in this challenge, making the food handling and processing industries a major sector within the local economy, along with engineering, printing and brickmaking.

The schools and colleges serving Fenland continue to adjust to the requirements of contemporary business aspirations and offer the latest education and training facilities for a wide range of disciplines and related courses. All four Fenland towns; Wisbech, March, Whittlesey and Chatteris - have comprehensive schools and The Isle College and College of West Anglia in Wisbech offer a wide range of further education courses. Outreach centres are to be found in each of Fenland's towns offering a range of courses to meet general needs.

Employment Development

The District Council provides a supportive environment for investors, creating employment opportunities and dealing with companies on all aspects of land and property. It also acts as the gateway for all business support agencies.

The area welcomes employment related investment and has allocated land in the local plan ( currently under review ) which will cater for most investors needs.

Working in partnership with new, existing and incoming business, the Council works to improve the prosperity of businesses for Fenland whilst protecting the natural and built environments for future generations.