What it means to be an enterprise zone

Enterprise Zones will benefit from:

A 100 per cent business rate discount worth up to £275,000 over a five year period, for businesses that move into an Enterprise Zone during the course of this Parliament;

All business rates growth within the zone for a period of at least 25 years will be retained and shared by the local authorities in the LEP area to support their economic priorities;
Government and local authority help to develop radically simplified planning approaches in the zone; and

Government support to ensure superfast broadband is rolled out in the zone. This will be achieved through guaranteeing the most supportive environment and, if necessary, public funding.

The Government will make enhanced capital allowances for investment in plant and machinery available in designated areas within a limited number of Enterprise Zones.

This is only available where the Government and Local Enterprise Partnership agree that it is better for the local economy to focus on a smaller number of companies making significant capital intensive investments. The vast majority of Enterprise Zones will retain a focus on attracting greater volumes of companies through business rate discounts.

More details for Harlow Enterprise Zone:

Discovery Park in Sandwich and West Essex Enterprise Zonein Harlow - led by the Kent, Essex and East Sussex local enterprise partnership proposes:

Harlow will focus medical technologies and advanced manufacturing;

Harlow will create 100 businesses 2,200 - 2,570 jobs by 2015;

Planning: simplified regime will cover change of uses without the need for planning permission to be sought.

Harlow will facilitate those businesses in the health and allied industries and advanced manufacturing sectors.

(You can read more here : http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1967593)
Rob Halfon
halfon4harlow@roberthalfon.com