Enterprise zones
Enterprise zones are intended to encourage growth and create new businesses and new jobs by allowing simplified planning procedures and through business rates discounts.
The government originally intended to establish 21 enterprise zones in Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) areas. LEPs are business-led partnerships created to drive sustainable economic growth across local economic areas. LEPs are able to bid for enterprise zones.
Enterprise zones are geographically defined areas, usually 50 to 150 hectares, agreed between the LEP and government. Enterprise zones are created in areas of 'economic opportunity', generally on ‘clean’ sites, i.e. sites with few existing business occupants.
Enterprise zones benefit from a number of provisions:
- A business rate discount of up to 100%, (limited by EU law to a maximum of approximately £55,000 per year) for five years. The government reimburses the local authority the cost of the discount.
- Business rates growth for at least 25 years is retained and reinvested locally to support the LEP’s priorities.
- Simplified planning procedures are adopted. This is generally done through the use of Local Development Orders, which can allow development without the need for planning permission. Local Development Orders can be used to permit any type of development in a particular area, or to permit a specific type of development. Conditions can be attached to the developments. The process of drafting a Local Development Order, carrying out public consultation and notifying the Secretary of State can take as little as two months.
- The government provides support, which can include funding, to ensure that 'superfast' broadband is made available throughout the enterprise zone.
- The government can make enhanced capital allowances for plant and machinery in areas within enterprise zones where there is a strong focus on manufacturing.
In the 2015 Budget, Chancellor George Osborne suggested that enterprise zones had created over 12,500 jobs and attracted £2bn in private investment, and announced that a number of existing enterprise zones would be expanded and new enterprise zones created in Blackpool and Plymouth. (Ref. Gov.uk Budget 2015 documents.)
In March 2016, Communities Secretary Greg Clark announced that England’s 39 Local Enterprise Partnerships would be able to apply for a share of £1.8 billion to support projects in their areas. (Ref. gov.uk.)
However, a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of the National Audit Office, also published in March 2016, questioned the transparency of LEP’s and recommended clarification about how they fit with other bodies to which power and spending have been devolved, and suggested that specific quantifiable objectives and performance indicators were set out for the success of Growth Deals.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Business improvement district.
- Business rates.
- Capital allowances.
- Central business district (CBD).
- City centre.
- City deals.
- Cities Devolution Bill.
- Consultation process.
- Development corporation.
- Devolution.
- Devolution and development.
- Growth deals for local enterprise partnerships.
- Going for growth, Reviewing the Effectiveness of Government Growth Initiatives.
- Growth and Infrastructure Bill.
- Heritage perspectives on infrastructure.
- Local Development Orders.
- Local Enterprise Partnerships.
- Localism Act.
- New Town Development Corporation.
- Planning permission.
- Pink zones.
- Regeneration.
- Region.
- Sustainability.
Featured articles and news
Listed despite problems with its design.
Zen and the art of cycling exploration.
Design Council Homes Taskforce launched
To support government 1.5 million homes target within UK climate commitments.
The story of this knowledge quarter building.
In ecology, in hydrology, in biology and in architecture.
Creating environments that promote physical, mental, and social well-being.
UK cases of neutral current diversion
Research project looks for example contributions.
Overstocking and macro-economics cause a decline.
The 2024 update of the Common Assessment Standard
Demonstrating organisational capability’ to fulfil roles under the Building Safety Act.
56 recommendations for a better built environment
Published by the CIC ahead of the King’s Speech.
SkillELECTRIC Top 8 Competitors Named
in annual search for the UK’s best student electrician.
CIOB Diversity and Inclusion technical information sheet
Step-by-step guide on implementing D and I practices.
Conservation and the Indian City. Book review.
Reversibility in conservation ethics
Learning from painting conservation.
Where It's AT Podcast launched!
New CIAT Architectural Technology Podcast goes live.