Member Article

Pickles announces £59m for Enterprise Zones works

£59m is available for Enterprise Zones to build the infrastructure required to service their sites, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced.

The Government is inviting bids from Enterprise Zones, who can use the money to “unlock” sites with roads, utilities and reclaiming of land so that businesses can set up.

Mr Pickles said: “Enterprise Zones have all the raw ingredients and growth incentives - simplified planning, low tax, super fast broadband and inward investment - they need to translate their potential into jobs and growth success. This is an opportunity to lay the infrastructure foundations so they are ‘gift wrapped’ ready to house new businesses.

“It is time for Enterprise Zones to take up the gauntlet of growth. Local Enterprise Partnerships can do more to make zones realise their potential sooner. The government is determined to work flat out with partnerships to clear any roadblocks in their zone’s path so they can forge ahead and deliver the jobs the country’s economy needs.”

The pot is part of the wider Local Infrastructure Fund announced in the Autumn Statement; a £474m fund for site preparation works.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .