Enterprise Zone boost welcomed

The ruling Conservative Group on East Devon District Council has welcomed Government backing for a new Enterprise Zone in the Greater Exeter area as a perfect example of partnership working and a vindication of EDDC’s efforts at bolstering the local economy.

Commenting on support for a Heart Of The South West Enterprise Zone announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his autumn statement last week, EDDC’s Deputy Leader said: “This is a huge vote of confidence in our region from the very centre of UK Government. It is proof that our strategy in creating the right business climate in East Devon is exactly in tune with our local partners AND the aspirations of Westminster”.

Councillor Andrew Moulding, who is also EDDC’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Development and Partnerships, said the announcement was “a total vindication of our forward-thinking policies to make this area a magnet for well-paid jobs and attractive housing settlements, enabling local youngsters to find work and somewhere to live nearby to their place of birth”.

EDDC’s Council Plan and its planning blueprint for the district encourage the creation of employment sites and new homes, with a focus on linked housing and jobs to the east of Exeter, with good transport connections. The results of collaboration with nearby councils have attracted both praise and funding from central government and East Devon Conservatives are delighted with the latest Cabinet recognition of these joint efforts.

Chancellor George Osborne announced 19 new Enterprise Zones, of which HOTSW is one. The proposed Zone consists of five sites, four in East Devon and one in Sedgemoor, Somerset, linked by the M5 motorway.

The East Devon sites are Exeter Science Park, SkyPark, Exeter Airport Business Park and the employment land at Cranbrook #. The Somerset site is Huntspill, next to Junction 23 of the motorway. All five sites are strategically located, with good access to the M5 corridor.

If EDDC and several other neighbouring councils* can agree a business plan and governance arrangements, the Enterprise Zone (EZ) would be launched in the spring of 2017 and would support delivery of the five employment sites and economic growth in the wider South West region.

Among the benefits of EZ status to potential employers are:

• Up to 100% business rate discount, worth up to £275,000 per business over five years
• Streamlined local planning procedures, with automatic permission for some types of building
• Government support for superfast broadband roll-out, with possible public funding

Apart from the obvious spin-off benefits to the local economy of new businesses bringing extra jobs, EZ status also means that the business rate growth** generated within the zone is retained by the relevant Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and local councils to reinvest in further economic progress, so creating a virtuous circle of growth and investment.

EZ status also means a government commitment to unblock possible barriers to delivery – enlisting better co-operation from Whitehall departments like the Department of Transport or DEFRA to help with transport infrastructure or environmental issues.

EDDC Leader Paul Diviani added: “The Chancellor’s announcement is just the start of an exciting chain of events that can only end in success, so long as we and our partners get our act together. Through the LEP we will need to develop a detailed business case and business plan, plus a sustainable governance framework.

“That means working closely with our neighbouring county and second tier councils, as well as partners like the Exeter Science Park Board and Innovation Exeter. We will be working across geographical and electoral boundaries as well as across political parties. Much of the groundwork has already been done. Hard work and a determination to succeed will see us through to an exciting and prosperous future for our region and its people.

“This has the potential to capitalise on existing economic development initiatives, speed up the delivery of key strategic sites and help to realise the wider growth ambitions for the Greater Exeter area”.

Next steps include an immediate start on creating a detailed work programme with the Heart of the South West LEP and early in the New Year conducting detailed financial appraisals with partners.
                                                         
# Cranbrook, with more than 1,000 homes now occupied, was recently named Inside Housing’s Overall Winner and Affordable Housing Development of the Year category. Cranbrook’s new railway station is scheduled to open just before Christmas, on 13 December.

* Devon County Council, Somerset County Council, Exeter City Council and Sedgemoor District Council.

** The increase in business rates revenue would be more than £10 million a year when the sites are fully developed.