Enterprise zone to create 1,300 jobs wins council approval
A planned business park on a 25.5-hectare site in Brighouse intended to create 1,300 jobs has been approved in principle.
The outline proposals for the scheme, called Clifton Business Park, had been submitted to Calderdale Council.
The development will be constructed on fields off Coal Pit Lane between the edge of Brighouse and the village of Clifton to the north.
A detailed design statement by Pegasus Group, which accompanies the application, explains: “Clifton Business Park is a major regeneration initiative that aims to deliver economic diversity and growth and create a wide range of new jobs locally and for the region.
“The concept seeks to provide an economic development upon this enterprise zone, and aims to bring high quality employment use and encourage businesses to expand or relocate within the Calderdale area.”
Indicative plans suggest the site could accommodate 21 commercial units. These would host a variety of business classes, including office, research and development, light industrial, general industrial and storage and distribution space.
The design statement adds: “An estimated 307 temporary jobs per annum could be supported during the build phase, generating an additional £47.8m of gross value added (economic output) for a three-year construction period.
“Once fully developed and occupied the proposed scheme will support around 1,300 gross full-time equivalent jobs on-site.
“It is estimated that once operational and fully occupied, gross value added associated with the permanent jobs supported in Calderdale will be £31.2m per annum.
“Over a ten-year period, the additional gross value added for the Calderdale economy associated with the proposed scheme is estimated to be £269m (present value).”
The site will be be one of the Leeds City Region’s Enterprise Zones, supported by Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Calderdale Council, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
