The Solent Enterprise Zone is centred on the former HMS Daedalus naval airfield at Lee-on-the-Solent, 10 minutes from the towns of Fareham and Gosport and 30 minutes from Portsmouth.

Its focus is on advanced engineering and manufacturing and in particular the marine, aerospace and aviation sectors, building on the strengths of the local economy and the zone’s facilities, which include an operational airfield and a marine slipway.

Established in 2012, it’s a major partnership project involving Gosport Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, Homes England and the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership.

Significant public sector capital investment has already been made in infrastructure, on and off-site, to help attract private sector investment and occupiers, with the aim of creating up to 3,700 jobs by 2026.

The Daedalus Waterfront site overlooks the Solent and the Isle of Wight and is in Gosport borough. Part of the site has already been redeveloped to provide small and medium-sized industrial units, with 100% occupation of the first phase. A Major developer has recently been engaged to develop the remainder of the waterfront, with plans for further employment space along with significant mixed-use leisure, residential and commercial space, maximising the advantages of the superb heritage buildings.

A masterplan is being developed to test viability and help bring forward the remainder of the waterfront area, which also includes a conservation area and a number of listed and other important heritage assets.