Peel reiterates its commitment to regional LEP bid

ONE of the region’s largest private land owners and developers Peel Group has now stated that it does not intend to pull its controversial proposals to form a Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in the North West.

It was reported earlier this month that Peel would scrap its plans to create an LEP covering the Atlantic Gateway – its ambitious plan for development along the Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal.

But it has now transpired that Manchester-based Peel – which owns Mersey Docks, the Trafford Centre and Salford Quays – has been in meetings with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The coalition Government has introduced the LEPs as a replacement to the network of regional development authorities with access to £1bn of central Government cash.

Peel’s bid means that there are now eight applications from the North West and 55 from across England.

Peel has previously expressed its belief that a ‘specialist’ LEP could deliver “£75bn net additional GVA and over 130,000 net additional jobs” for the region.

It believes that its Atlantic Gateway LEP could support and complement the sub-regional local authorities.

There is no timetable for the approval of bids but the government expects LEPs to be up and running by next September.