Concerns are growing for the Romney Marsh area after the Dungeness plant is decommissioned

by political editor Paul Francis

A £1m jobs fund is on the cards for one of the county's unemployment blackspots in a move that could provide vital start-up funds for new businesses and help others to expand.

The so-called "Marsh Million" initiative for Romney Marsh in east Kent could get the go-ahead this week.

Council chiefs believe the initiative could throw a lifeline to the area and help kick-start the area's flagging economy.

The scheme is being drawn up by Kent County Council in partnership with Magnox, the organisation that is responsible for decommissioning nuclear plants.

It operates a national fund to support areas which have been dependent on the nuclear industry and has indicated that it could be willing to allocate £500,000.

Up until now, the bulk of the money has gone to other areas such as Wales, Scotland and Cumbria.

Kent County Council has said it would be prepared to invest £466,000 and with a contribution from Shepway council, £1m could be available.

A county council report on the scheme suggests money could be used to help new businesses set up with small scale loans; help pay for premises and develop apprenticeship and training programmes.

The initiative will come as a welcome fillip to the Marsh, where concerns have been growing over its economic prospects when the Dungeness plant is finally decommissioned.

The uncertainty over whether the planned expansion of Lydd Airport (pictured right) will go ahead, coupled with the recent decision to reject plans for a nuclear waste plant, have led to questions about where new jobs will come from.

Cllr Mark Dance (Con), Kent County Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: "This is money that we feel is being spent in the right place.

"We can help with start-up costs for new businesses and help those already there. There are a lot of micro businesses on the marsh and we can help with seed funding."

The Magnox board is due to meet today to discuss whether to give the go-ahead to the idea.

About one in five jobs in Romney Marsh are dependent on the nuclear industry and currently an estimated 700 people are working at the Dungeness A and Dungeness B plants.

Dungeness B is due to be decommissioned in 2018 but there has been speculation that it may have its licence extended until 2023.