Enterprise Zones are designated areas across England that provide tax breaks and Government support. They are great places to do business especially for both new and expanding firms.
Businesses that locate on an Enterprise Zone can access a number of benefits:
- Simplified local authority planning, for example, through Local Development Orders that grant automatic planning permission for certain development (such as new industrial buildings or changing how existing buildings are used) within specified areas
- Government support to ensure that superfast broadband is rolled out throughout the zone, and, if necessary, public funding
In August 2011, the Prime Minister visited Sci-Tech Daresbury to confirm its position as one of the UK’s enterprise zones, this being formally ratified in April 2012.
The Sci-Tech Daresbury Enterprise Zone will:
- create 10,000 high quality jobs across several hundred technology companies.
- develop over 1 million square feet of specialised office, laboratory and technical space.
- generate over £250m/year of GVA.
- leverage over £150m of private sector investment.
It will mark Sci-Tech Daresbury as a major technology hub not only in the UK, but also internationally, driving long-term economic growth.
Enterprise Zone status will allow business rates to be reinvested in the campus to provide important new campus support infrastructure for future developments. It also provides short-term opportunities for companies to potentially benefit from business rates relief.
The Enterprise Zone has strong governance and management arrangements. The Enterprise Zone Board was established to oversee its development and implementation.
The Enterprise Zone board comprises of representatives from each of the joint-venture partners (Langtree, Science and Technology Facilities Council, and Halton Borough Council) as well as the three local enterprise partnerships (Cheshire & Warrington, Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region) emphasizing Sci-Tech Daresbury’s importance to the North West regional economy.
