Mott MacDonald and WSP to help deliver vital Pioneer Park programme near Sellafield

Mott MacDonald in partnership with WSP has been appointed by local development company BEC to deliver the site masterplan and programme management office (PMO) for Pioneer Park, a major new clean energy and economic development opportunity surrounding the Sellafield site in West Cumbria.

Mott MacDonald and WSP have joined forces to bring decades of master planning and PMO experience working on both nuclear and non-nuclear developments.

First announced by the Prime Minister in 2025, Pioneer Park will explore development opportunities across over 400 acres of land owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), taking into account Sellafield’s existing requirements - the UK’s largest nuclear complex and one of the most significant nuclear locations anywhere in the world.

The initiative aims to strengthen and diversify the region’s economy, reduce reliance on nuclear decommissioning, regenerate local towns and create a long-term skills and supply-chain legacy.

As master planner and PMO lead, Mott MacDonald and WSP will work with BEC, the NDA, Sellafield Ltd and Cumberland Council to shape, coordinate and manage the development programme, ensuring robust governance, clear delivery pathways and a plan that maximises social, economic and environmental value.

Kerry Hancock, general manager of the UK advisory business at Mott MacDonald said: "Pioneer Park is a nationally significant programme and a transformational opportunity for West Cumbria, and we’re proud to play a central role in shaping its future. With decades of heritage supporting the UK’s energy and nuclear sectors, we understand the region’s strengths and its importance to the nation’s clean energy ambitions.

“The appointment reflects our long-term commitment to West Cumbria and our proven excellence in advisory and PMO services. We look forward to working with BEC and WSP to create a development that drives clean energy innovation, unlocks new economic opportunities and delivers lasting benefits for local communities."

Stuart McLaren, head of nuclear and energy sector director, WSP: “We’re excited to be working with BEC and partnering with Mott MacDonald to help shape the vision for Pioneer Park. It has the potential to set a new benchmark for how clean energy and digital infrastructure are brought together in the UK, while delivering meaningful long‑term benefits for West Cumbria and its surrounding environment.

Pioneer Park is a nationally significant programme and a transformational opportunity for West Cumbria.

“Our role is focused on helping develop a proposition that is not just ambitious, but genuinely investable, consentable and deliverable, with a clear pathway through to long‑term operation. By bringing together nuclear, environmental planning and major consenting expertise, we are supporting a masterplan that can enable advanced nuclear solutions to underpin future data‑centre and clean‑energy development at scale — building the confidence needed to move from vision to delivery.”

Michael Pemberton, chief executive of BEC, said: “Appointing Mott MacDonald and WSP is a significant step forward for Pioneer Park and, importantly, for West Cumbria. This programme represents a real opportunity to build on the region’s long-standing expertise in nuclear and energy, while creating new pathways for investment, skills and economic diversification.

“Pioneer Park is about securing a prosperous future for West Cumbria. By bringing in experienced partners we are ensuring the project is deliverable and aligned with the region's needs.

“Our focus is on creating long-term economic value, supporting local towns and communities, and positioning West Cumbria at the forefront of the UK’s clean energy future.”

Pioneer Park’s ambition is to create a prosperous and diverse economy in West Cumbria, built on the strengths of the nuclear industry. Its objectives include economic diversification, town centre regeneration, support for the national nuclear decommissioning mission and clean energy generation to benefit the region.