Enterprise zones named
A FORMER airfield and an Essex New Town were among the second wave of enterprise zones announced by the coalition yesterday.
The sites, at Alconbury near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, and at Enterprise West Essex in Harlow, are two of 11 in England that will benefit from tax breaks and a relaxation of planning rules.
Vince Cable, the business secretary, said the zones will stimulate investment and support the future of UK industries.
“Across England, these Zones will generate new jobs, investment in areas that can benefit, and develop high-tech products that will secure long-term sustainable prosperity,” said Cable.
A research and development facility in Kent, abandoned by Pfizer, was also given enterprise zone status.
“The new Enterprise Zone will provide a significant economic boost to the south east,” said universities and science minister David Willetts.
The creation of more enterprise zones, designed to create more than 30,000 jobs by 2015, comes as the government pledges new funding for broadband networks of £294.8m to England and £68.8m to Scotland.