Bid to create 6,500 jobs in Herefordshire moves a step closer

Enterprise Zone status for a major new development site at Rotherwas moved a step closer last week when the Herefordshire Business Board and Herefordshire Council, working with the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), submitted a proposal to government that could create more than 6,500 new jobs.

Focused on a 164 acre site ready for the development of private-sector employment, the Marches Enterprise Zone in Rotherwas, Hereford, would concentrate on supporting key local sectors including defence and security, environmental technologies, and advanced manufacturing.

Obtaining Enterprise Zone status for Rotherwas would generate significant private sector investment in the estate - more than £90m over the life of the project - building on the recent site infrastructure improvements constructed to open up new land for development.

The bid for Enterprise Zone status is led by the Herefordshire Business Board, a private sector led group responsible for the delivery of Marches LEP projects within the county, with support from Herefordshire Council.

Neil Kerr, chairman of the Business Board, said: "We believe our submission for an Enterprise Zone in Rotherwas has every chance of success. The majority of the site is cleared for development and ready to be occupied, we have a great plan for future business growth and will be providing additional support and assistance to businesses locating in the zone. Our goal is to bring new business from the rest of the UK and overseas, to help build our vision for a regeneration of Herefordshire's business base".

"It will further enable the transition of the local economy from one of traditional industries, such as agriculture, to a modern, high technology based economy, building on strong existing foundations".

Mr Kerr added: "The Herefordshire Business Board is a new organisation, that has taken over from the old development agency and we have high ambitions and exciting projects in the pipeline, all designed to create new employment and business growth. 

Cllr Jarvis added a note of caution when he added: "Be under no illusions that obtaining this status will be an easy task. There is extensive national competition for Enterprise Zone status with 28 other LEPs bidding for only ten new zones."

The Enterprise Zone, which will benefit businesses through business rate relief and simplified planning regulations, compliments further regeneration work in Hereford including the new livestock market, the Yazor Brook flood alleviation scheme, a major upgrade to the Buttermarket and the regeneration of the old cattle market site for new retail and leisure facilities.

The government will provide additional financial support to LEP’s with zone status; allowing the Marches LEP to assist businesses throughout Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford - not only those in Hereford.

For the full report follow the attached link - 

http://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/council_gov_democracy/news/55521.asp

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