East Midlands Freeport has taken another major step towards unlocking investment, jobs and long-term growth, with a new planning framework now in place to support the infrastructure needed across its three development sites.
The East Midlands Freeport Strategic Infrastructure and Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was formally adopted in June 2026 by North West Leicestershire District Council, Rushcliffe Borough Council and South Derbyshire District Council.
Put simply, the SPD sets out how developers will help fund the roads, transport improvements and other strategic infrastructure needed to turn Freeport ambition into delivery. It will support growth across the three Freeport sites:
- East Midlands Airport Gateway Industrial Cluster (EMAGIC)
- East Midlands Intermodal Park (EMIP)
- Former Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station site
The SPD also extends beyond the Freeport tax sites. Strategic allocations within adopted and emerging Local Plans across the three local authority areas, as well as other developments that will benefit from or be enabled by the infrastructure delivered to support the Freeport sites, will also be expected to make appropriate financial contributions towards it. This helps ensure that costs are shared fairly and that investment in strategic infrastructure benefits the wider region.
By giving developers clear guidance on infrastructure contributions, the SPD will help ensure growth is properly supported, fairly funded and coordinated across local authority boundaries.
That joined-up approach is critical: the infrastructure needed to unlock growth across the Freeport does not stop at council borders, and neither can the planning for it.
Tom Newman-Taylor, Chief Executive of East Midlands Freeport, said:
“This is a really important step forward for East Midlands Freeport. If we are serious about attracting investment, creating jobs and delivering growth, we need the right infrastructure in the right places at the right time.
“The adoption of the SPD gives us a clear, coordinated way to help make that happen. I would like to thank North West Leicestershire District Council, Rushcliffe Borough Council and South Derbyshire District Council for their commitment and collaboration. This is partnership working turning ambition into delivery for the East Midlands.”
Work is now underway on the East Midlands Freeport Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP), which will be consulted on before being adopted later this year. The IDP will provide more detailed evidence on infrastructure requirements, delivery priorities, costs and timescales, helping to inform future development agreements and investment decisions.
The adoption of the SPD is another practical milestone in making East Midlands Freeport investment-ready and ensuring the infrastructure is in place to support sustainable, long-term growth.