Black Country EZ finally revealed
THE location of the new Black Country Enterprise Zone has been unveiled today putting to bed months of mystery surrounding the scheme.
The Black Country was one of 10 locations outlined by Chancellor George Osborne in March’s Budget to house one of the new EZs where businesses will benefit from tax incentives and an easing of planning restrictions.
The Government confirmed today it had accepted the LEP’s proposals to house the EZ across two sites at i54 in south Staffordshire and in Darlaston between Junctions 9 and 10 of the M6.
Collectively, they cover 120 hectares and, due to i54 falling across the boundary of the Black Country and Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEPs, the two bodies have agreed to share the costs and proceeds of developing the site.
The sector focus of the EZ will be advanced manufacturing including aerospace, automotive and engineering and environmental technologies.
Tax breaks will take the form of forgoing business rates, the Government says, with job creation estimated at 3,843 net roles by 2015. The total developable floor space is estimated to be 5.38m sq ft.
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