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The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has proposed that land near Coventry Airport and the Tollbar A45/A46 junction should be designated by the Government as an Enterprise Zone. Enterprise Zones are part of the Government’s strategy to boost economic growth and jobs.
All LEPs have been invited to make a bid for Enterprise Zone status and have only until the end of June to put forward nominations to the government. Only 10 more will be allowed. If successful, the land so designated will benefit for example, from exemption from business rates for 5 years and from a simplified planning system.
Three sites across the area were originally considered by the LEP Board, but at a meeting on Monday 13th June 2011, its members voted in favour of the Airport site due to an expansion programme around the airport along with plans to create up to 10,000 jobs and work to the improve the troublesome Toll Bar island. The wider sub region could benefit as a result through increased advantage for inward investment opportunities, super fast broadband and re use of business rate growth to fund other projects elsewhere.
Denys Shortt, chairman of the LEP, said: "We believe this is a real opportunity for Coventry and Warwickshire and the government’s announcement of Enterprise Zones has come at a perfect time. The site is very well positioned, there is clear potential and we are excited by the plans that have been drawn up."
The Bid will require the support of the Local Planning Authority which in this case is largely Warwick District Council. The Council will be considering its formal position at a Full Council meeting on 29th June 2011. The council recognises that this is a major decision not just for the district but also the whole sub region. Council officers are part of the working party drafting the proposal, in recognition of the pivotal role the council will play in this proposal not just as planning authority but also in the wider roles as the rating and economic development body.
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