Hopes for second Enterprise Zone

Officials are currently considering a shortlist of four areas to locate their first zone, where companies will receive business rate discounts and fast-track planning, but have also lodged an official expression of interest in setting up a second zone.

With 11 areas already preparing to set up a zone, the Government is launching a competition to decide where another 10 should be.

Ministers have received 29 expressions of interest, including Leeds City Region, York and North Yorkshire, and Hull and Humber.

Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles: “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.”

“Enterprise Zones will transform 21 under-used parts of the country into business magnets attracting new companies to the area with tax breaks and simplified planning regimes.”

Applications for specific sites will have to be submitted by Local Enterprise Partnerships by the end of June and will have to convince Ministers the area can create significant numbers of new private sector jobs without simply tempting businesses to move from elsewhere.

Ministers prefer one zone per area to spread the benefits, so Leeds will have to rely on first-time bidders failing to impress to be considered for a second.

Four areas currently being considered for the city region’s first Enterprise Zone are the Aire Valley, Bradford city centre, Selby and the Wakefield M62 corridor.

Seven sites are on a shortlist for Sheffield City Region, which will host another of the first 11 zones, while there are four possible sites in York and North Yorkshire including Scarborough Business Park, York Central, the Heslington East site at the University of York, and Selby bypass.