Plans backed for innovation, business and skills centre at former nuclear site
Senior councillors have approved the next steps in developing a proposed Innovation, Business and Skills Centre at the former nuclear power station site in Trawsfynydd.
The multi-use centre, estimated to cost around £20 million, is designed to create high-value jobs and strengthen the regional economy by supporting growth in sectors including nuclear decommissioning, low-carbon energy, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
Sponsored by Cyngor Gwynedd, the hub would provide flexible office, laboratory, training and collaboration space to support research, skills development, business growth and innovation. The proposal represents the first phase of a wider masterplan for the Trawsfynydd site, which sits within the Snowdonia Enterprise Zone and the North Wales AI Growth Zone.
If delivered, the project is expected to generate around 90 additional full-time jobs, inject £21.8 million into the north Wales economy, and create more than 3,000 square metres of new commercial and research floorspace. It would also aim to support at least 100 enterprises, including small and medium-sized businesses, start-ups and supply chain firms.
Councillor Nia Jeffreys, Leader of Cyngor Gwynedd, described the decision as “positive and exciting news” for the area.
She said: “We welcome the proposals as they will help to address deep-rooted social and economic challenges in Meirionnydd and maximise the long-term economic value of the Trawsfynydd site.
“It’s an opportunity to develop people’s skills at a nationally significant site within Gwynedd and north Wales.”
Councillor Medwyn Hughes, Cabinet Member for Economy and Community, said the scheme aligned with the council’s wider priorities.
“As highlighted in our Council Plan, ensuring that Gwynedd prospers economically and socially is a key priority,” he said.
“This case for Trawsfynydd will be a catalyst to support sustainable employment in the area, to support businesses and to welcome new enterprises and innovation to the local supply chain.”
Local member Councillor Elfed Powell Roberts also welcomed the development.
“I welcome and support the good news that Cyngor Gwynedd is leading on this project,” he said.
“An innovation, business and skills centre such as this will attract investment and create good quality jobs for the long-term, which are very much needed in this area.”
Business case
Following Cabinet approval, the council will now submit an outline business case to Ambition North Wales, seeking support through the North Wales Growth Deal.
The proposal is dependent on securing land currently owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), where the former visitor centre is located. Discussions are ongoing with the NDA regarding a long-term lease.
The plans come after the Trawsfynydd Small Modular Reactor (SMR) project was removed from the Growth Deal programme in 2025, freeing up funds previously allocated to the site.
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It was conceived at the very cutting edge of Innovation, Business and Skills along with Stwlan back in the humble days before Gwynedd…
What a wonderful intensely forward looking WELSH idea. I’ve a good mind to offer a FREE patent draft/write up to an innovator in emerging technologies who is associated with this project. As an innovator myself I see a need for start-ups with an intensely bright idea to seek patent protection for that idea. There is no per se requirement for the idea to be reduced to actual practice, a patent draft offers constructive reduction to practice by providing a sufficiently detailed written description, including drawings and claims that enables a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention… Read more »
“A startup may lack initial wherewithal to pay a patent agent or attorney”
Perhaps this is a service Welsh Gov could provide so folks with ideas can answer the “is it patentable” question without ending up with a big bill.
Excuse the long post, but this is an important issue. You are precisely correct; the Welsh government should put aside money for doing just that – believe me, I have argued this point several times over, e.g. drafted numerous letters, emailed every Senedd MS, only Julie Morgan made the effort to talk to me (via TEAMS). One other MS expressed an interest, but that was essentially all. Peter Black some years ago “in 2007, Peter Black (formerly Welsh Assembly Member), publicly argued for increased patent production in Wales, noting that the number of patents resulting from Welsh university research… Read more »
If Plaid are successful in bringing back something like the WDA that might make a good home for such a patent support function.
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/new-development-agency-wales-would-32955336
The author of that article is a strong advocate for business development in Wales and active on LinkedIn.
How does that saying go?> “I will ‘believe it when I see it” – there was not even an ethereal ‘patenting strategy’ offered by Plaid at that Cardiff Breakfast Club; and clearly there has to be a PATENTING STRATEGY in Wales.
Sadly, Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has no clue on this VITAL issue. Don’t forget, I emailed EVERY Plaid MS on this issue and got a big fat zero response. (Perhaps the Plaid leader should appoint me as (an unpaid) special advisor/adviser on this score! What is there to lose? Everything to gain for WALES!)
PS Sorry to be a Welsh patent-bore, but this patenting issue should be classed as a Development of National Significance (DNS) or similar and should be treated as such by Welsh Government. Would a future Plaid Government stretch to do that? It is of VITAL importance to Wales. Just look at the Prof. Martin Evans fiasco who did his fundamental research at Cardiff University… “Martin Evans’ development of embryonic stem cell technology — which enabled the creation of “knockout mice”— is used in THOUSANDS of laboratories (including commercial research laboratories) around the world.” Google’s AI; emphasis added in… Read more »
With that amount of money thay can afford to rebuild the local bridge!