CTruk, a leading UK innovator in composite vessel design,
recently signed the lease on a 6400m² site on the Colne Estuary, a few miles upriver from its current
Brightlingsea base. The company plans to use the Fieldgates site in Haven Road, The Hythe, East
Colchester to build the larger vessels required for offshore wind farm projects further out to sea.
CTruk is pressing on with refurbishment of the existing building on Fieldgates in order to move some
production activity over early next year. However, the company also has ambitious plans to build a
brand new production facility, offices and training centre on the currently derelict site. As such, it
has applied for a grant through Round 6 of Regional Growth Fund (RGF). Funding support would see
CTruk invest to transform from boat builder to ‘Advanced Composite Technology Centre’ creating
over 120 new private-sector jobs (including 15 new apprenticeships) over the next few years.
A ‘green light’ for this project would be great news for The Hythe, an area of Colchester marked for
regeneration. CTruk’s plans, which would be substantially complete by the end of 2015, would see
the long-derelict Fieldgates transformed into a vibrant manufacturing hub, creating a ripple effect of
indirect job creation in the local community as the workforce moves in and grows. It is hoped that
the return of a marine based industry to this former port area will act as a stimulus for further new
business in the area. It could also provide opportunities for existing companies to supply and support
the CTruk development.
“CTruk has driven innovation in offshore wind vessel design since its inception,” said company
chairman Peter McIntosh, “and we intend to continue to apply our unique approach to design and
build with the larger accommodation vessels required for the challenging sea conditions further
offshore. This requirement is the main driver for our planned expansion, but the technology centre,
with its in-house training facility, would also see us well placed to diversify into other commercial
marine sectors, set up overseas agreements and also apply our composites expertise to non-marine
manufacturing opportunities.”
The company has garnered widespread support for its plans from, among others, Colchester MP Sir
Bob Russell, Colchester Borough Council, The Honourable Bernard Jenkin MP, the Haven Gateway
Partnership and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The company is also looking to
work closely with Colchester Institute and the University of Essex for recruitment, apprenticeships
and technological expertise, fitting with the partnership approach to offshore renewables across the
East Coast as part of the CORE network (Centres for Offshore Renewable Engineering).
Mr McIntosh is keen to point out that RGF success would not see the company move out of
Brightlingsea, “If we gain grant support to build the new centre, then Brightlingsea will ultimately
become our vessel delivery, maintenance and warranty base, with new craft being launched at
Fieldgates and moved downriver for sea trials.” With Brightlingsea among other areas of Tendring
that were given ‘Assisted Area’ status by Government earlier this year, this would be good news too
for the historic shipbuilding town.
Colchester Borough Council has been working closely with CTruk to help realise an exciting future for
the site. The Council and CTruk have also worked in partnership to progress RGF funding, aiming to
change perceptions and regenerate the former port area, thereby allowing the local community to
benefit from resulting employment opportunities.
Councillor Anne Turrell, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Regeneration said,
“Colchester Borough Council has been actively working with CTruk for some time to help bring
forward this significant proposal for the Fieldgates site at the Hythe. We are excited about the
progress that has been made so far and the potential for further economic development and
employment for the local community.”
Cyril Thomas, Chair of Hythe Forward Community Land Trust said, "We are delighted and
encouraged by the news of CTruk’s arrival in the Hythe because it fits well with a number of our core
objectives. We welcome the potential work opportunities and investment that CTruk could bring into
the Hythe and hope that this will send a positive message to others who may be considering
exploring opportunities here that could benefit our community."
CTruk expects a decision on grant funding support in early 2015.
