# £700m fund expected to ‘unlock’ major high tech jobs park near Sheffield

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/700m-fund-expected-to-unlock-major-high-tech-jobs-park-near-sheffield/
- Published: 2026-11-02T11:48:47+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T00:02:25+00:00
- Original publisher: The Star (Sheffield)
- Original article: https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/ps700m-fund-expected-to-unlock-major-high-tech-jobs-park-near-sheffield-9323755
- Topics: Business, Culture, Economy, Fashion, Government, Politics, Sheffield, UK, World

## Key points

- Runway Park is being explored for support from a £700m national fund.
- The proposed innovation district covers 100 acres near Sheffield.
- No investment award or job total for Runway Park has been confirmed.

## Summary

A £700m UK government programme could help bring forward Runway Park, a planned 100-acre innovation district in the Don Valley Corridor near Sheffield. South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said support from the Strategic Sites Accelerator, alongside a partnership with the National Wealth Fund, could help attract investment and create skilled jobs. The proposed park would connect University of Sheffield research with businesses working in research, innovation and manufacturing.

The fund is intended to support six to 10 industrial and commercial sites across the UK through finance and technical advice, addressing obstacles such as planning, infrastructure and access to capital. Officials are already working with South Yorkshire partners on Runway Park’s development options and infrastructure needs, but the site has not been awarded investment. The government hopes the national programme will attract up to £2bn in private investment; its job projections depend on which projects proceed. Applications for the pilot close on 19 January 2027.

## Coverage

- [The Star (Sheffield): £700m fund expected to ‘unlock’ major high tech jobs park near Sheffield](https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/ps700m-fund-expected-to-unlock-major-high-tech-jobs-park-near-sheffield-9323755)
- [Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade: Mayors and local leaders work with No10 North to drive search for ‘top 10’ biggest strategic investment sites across country](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mayors-and-local-leaders-work-with-no10-north-to-drive-search-for-top-10-biggest-strategic-investment-sites-across-country)
- [UK Government: Strategic Sites Accelerator](https://www.business.gov.uk/campaign/strategic-sites-accelerator/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.