Humber bid for Enterprise Zone

THE NEW HUMBER ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP set up last month is competing with twenty eight other similar bodies from around the country each bidding for their area to be included as one of the final ten Enterprise Zone locations.

Eleven Enterprise Zones have already been established and benefit from simplified planning rules, super-fast broadband and tax breaks for businesses to promote growth. When established the new Enterprise Zones, according to a press release issued by the Department of Communities and Local Government, can help make the country the best place in Europe to start and grow a business. But the process will be very competitive and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has said that "only the best will get the go ahead".

The Humber Enterprise Partnership bid to secure Enterprise Zone status will undoubtedly include the proposal by Siemens to open an £80 million wind turbine manufacturing plant on Alexandra Dock. But on a local level there may be some concerns that the Hull part of the Enterprise Zone sites involves developing land immediately North of the village of Paull.

The successful bids will be announced later this year.