Freeports are areas designated by the government that benefit from incentives to encourage economic activity. Freeports operate with both ‘tax’ and ‘customs’ sites. Tax sites offer occupiers business rates relief and other incentives to support capital investment, skills and employment.

The Government announced the Solent Freeport in March 2021 and Dunsbury Park was formally designated as a tax site in December 2022.  

Full business rates relief will be available for a period of ten years for an eligible business. Relief will be available to all new businesses, and certain existing businesses where they expand, provided occupation commences before 30 September 2031.

Relief will apply for ten years from the point at which each beneficiary first receives relief. This means that if a business first received relief on 30 September 2031, the relief may be applied up to 29 September 2041.

This scheme is effective from 1 April 2022 to 30 September 2041.

• Solent Freeport - Business rate relief scheme criteria (pdf 140 kb)

Businesses wishing to apply must first complete a short application form to register their interest.