Applications invited for final wave of Enterprise Zones
LOCAL Government Secretary Eric Pickles has announced that the ten new Enterprise Zones it will create will be based on the projects which offer the best opportunities to “grow communities”.
The Government plans to create 21 Enterprise Zones across England – 11 of these have already been identified, and it is inviting Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) looking to bid for one of the remaining ten zones to apply by June 30.
LEPs from the North West expected to apply are Cheshire & Warrington, Cumbria and the newly-created Lancashire LEP.
The Government has said that applicants will have to show their prospective zone has genuine potential to create the new business and jobs they need, with positive benefits across the wider economic area.
The applications will be assessed against three criteria: Ability to deliver growth and jobs; value for money and implementation.
Issues which will be looked at will include choice of sites; plans for development; sectors targeted and plans by local areas to remove barriers to business growth and reduce costs.
As enterprise zones are designed to encourage new businesses, it is expected that proposed sites will be ‘clean’ – with no or very few existing businesses in place.
Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said: “Today the competition for the next ten Enterprise Zones really gets under way and I urge all contenders to seize this opportunity to put forward top class proposals.
“I’m delighted by how many areas have put themselves forward, but only the best applications will get a zone. To succeed they must be ambitious for jobs, committed to reducing the barriers to enterprise and eager to create a springboard for growth.”
LEPs will typically use Enterprise Zones to encourage new businesses to set up in an area through a range of incentives including a business rate discount worth up to £275,000 over a five-year period; super-fast broadband and a simplified planning regime.
Manchester Airport City and the Mersey Waters scheme were among the first ten Enterprise Zones approved by the Government.
