Holtec Britain selects Doncaster’s Gateway-East for UK factory

Left to right: Stephen Wild, managing director, Peel Land; Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster; Holtec Britain’s director, Gareth Thomas; Dame Julia King, Holtec’s senior advisor (and chair of the climate change committee’s adaptation sub-committee); Damian Allen, chief executive of Doncaster Council; and Julian Stott, director, Peel Land

Holtec Britain, an innovative leader in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and a finalist in the Great British Nuclear SMR competition, has selected Gateway-East, next to Doncaster-Sheffield Airport, as the preferred location for its planned new UK factory. The company is now entering detailed negotiations with the developer, Peel Land.

The landmark decision has been widely welcomed by South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones, local Labour MP Lee Pitcher, and industry leads. Holtec’s decision also comes weeks after the Prime Minister confirmed £30 million to fund the reopening of the airport. Since it closed in 2022, local politicians and businesses have campaigned to re-open it to drive growth across the region.

After evaluating 13 regions across the UK, Holtec — which have been operating in the UK for nearly 30 years — chose South Yorkshire as its base to localise production in the region. Within South Yorkshire, Gateway-East out-competed two other shortlisted sites. The location offers 80 hectares of development land adjacent to Doncaster-Sheffield Airport.

SMR deployment
The planned factory is the centrepiece of Holtec’s UK plans. Analysis from former Government Green-Book economists at Bradshaw Advisory estimates the factory will generate £1.8 billion GVA (£1.5 billion from the proposed factory and £300 million from professional engineering and technical services relating to SMR deployment), create 3,600 construction, 16,000-plus supply chain, and 3,000 unionised engineering jobs over 20 years.

Crucially, the new hub will give the UK ‘first mover advantage’ at the helm of a new export market for SMR components worth billions. The factory will produce two SMR units annually, with half of the output slated for exports. Holtec’s SMR is a Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) — the most common type in the world and the same type under construction at Hinkley Point C, helping to standardise supply chains and develop a skilled UK workforce.

Earlier this month, Holtec Britain’s director Gareth Thomas visited the site alongside Dame Julia King, Holtec’s senior advisor (and chair of the climate change committee’s adaptation sub-committee) before heading to Sheffield Forgemasters to sign the UK Steel Charter.

Holtec Britain aims to use 70% UK content in its nuclear, clean energy and defence programmes. The company‘s plans have rallied strong support — signing Memorandums of Understandings with South Yorkshire Combined Authority, Sheffield Forgemasters, the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). Holtec is also in discussions with the GMB, Prospect and Community unions.

Industrial renaissance
Mr Thomas said: “In Doncaster, Holtec’s plans for a new advanced manufacturing facility will create a new industrial renaissance for the nation. We are delivering tangible wins for the British economy — 1,000s of homegrown jobs, foreign direct investment, a new export market, the re-industrialisation of South Yorkshire, cementing US, UK, Korean and Japanese relations through our partners — all while lowering bills, and powering the economy through clean energy.

“With the reopening of Doncaster-Sheffield airport, we are excited about the potential this site has to offer. Holtec is now finalising the factory business plan to support its ‘Final Investment Decision’. We are proud to back Britain’s industrial base working with trade unions and UK industry partners.”

Peel Land’s managing director Stephen Wild said: “Today’s announcement by Holtec, confirming Gateway-East as its preferred location for future UK investment, marks a pivotal milestone in driving forward South Yorkshire’s Advanced Manufacturing Investment Zone at Gateway-East, accelerating the delivery of high-value jobs in Doncaster at the Innovation Quarter (IQ) site. We look forward to working alongside Holtec, City of Doncaster Council, SYMCA and wider partners to drive forward delivery in this strategically important location.”