By Max Clarke
West Yorkshire is preparing itself for accelerated economic growth after revealing the locations shortlisted for Enterprise Zone status.
"Rather than rush to judgement before the enterprise zone comes into force next April, the board are making sure that the decision is the right one, based on sound information and private sector scrutiny. I’m happy that we’re on track to deliver an enterprise zone that will produce real results from April 2012 and will benefit the whole of the Leeds City Region,” commented Leeds Local Enterprise Partnership chairman, Neil McLean in an article for thebusinessdesk.com.
Areas earmarked for enterprise zone status, which will offer high speed broadband along with a host of other benefits, including reduced business rates and lax planning controls, range in size from 272 acres, to just 10.
The Leeds Metropolitan Region has put forward: Aire Valley, Leeds, Bradford city centre, Selby and the Wakefield M62 Corridor.
Leeds emerged in the 1990s as a regional financial powerhouse and it is hoped that carefully selected and maintained enterprise zones will help to stimulate enterprise in some of the city’s more deprived wards, notably the troubled EASEL (east and southeast Leeds) areas, bringing them in line with the dynamic core.
