New Enterprise Zone Confirmed for Doncaster Sheffield Airport
Tuesday 11 March 2014
Doncaster Sheffield Airport Passenger Terminal
Warmly welcoming the news, Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “I made a commitment to deliver new jobs and economic growth in Doncaster and we are delighted with this announcement. I personally proposed and pushed very hard for the introduction of this Enterprise Zone, which will offer further incentives for investors and companies to choose Doncaster as a business destination. This is a huge vote of confidence in Doncaster and our economic growth plans.
“The Enterprise Zone will help us establish an economic growth corridor which will transform the south of Doncaster and be the catalyst for growth across the borough and the Sheffield City Region. It will help the airport expand, entice new industry to the area, and achieve my aims of more housing and ultimately more jobs.
“It is tremendous news for Doncaster and we will work closely with the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership to exploit all opportunities to develop the Enterprise Zone to build a strong and diverse local and regional economy.”
Today’s announcement follows extensive talks between local leaders and Government officials to negotiate the deal and will see Enterprise Zone expansions in other parts of the region as well as the new site at Doncaster’s international airport. The deal was brokered by the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.
The new status will mean that businesses and investors can access significant Government tax incentives by locating in the designated area at the airport. This will be particularly useful for businesses in the manufacturing and engineering sectors which are being proactively encouraged into the region. It will also act as a catalyst for further investment in the site and be complementary to the infrastructure investment that is already going into the area.
Work has started on the new FARRRS link road from the motorway network to Doncaster Sheffield Airport and this will see a number of developments get off the ground like iPort - a strategic rail freight interchange which has the potential to create thousands of new jobs. FARRRS together with the new Enterprise Zone will enhance Doncaster’s logistics capacity and expertise and help the local economy to flourish.
Don Valley MP Caroline Flint said: “An Enterprise Zone at Doncaster Sheffield Airport is an excellent location to grow new businesses. The airport is a magnet for inward investment; and with the FARRRS link road now underway, and the airport business park now set to grow, this will be an exciting time for Doncaster and good news for employment in the borough.”
Peter Nears, Strategic Planning Director at Peel Holdings (Land & Property) Limited, said: “This news is a significant development for Doncaster Sheffield Airport and our partners. Investors are already showing unprecedented interest in the area around the airport as completion of the new link road from the M18 gets closer and closer.”
“Logistically, the Enterprise Zone is incredibly attractive because of its strategic location at the heart of the UK and its multimodal access, which now includes a dedicated Airport, excellent rail links to all ports and the rest of the UK, and direct access to the strategic highway network of the A1, M1 and M18.”
James Newman, Chairman of Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “I am delighted that the Government has listened to local leaders and enabled us to expand our Enterprise Zone to include additional strategic sites, including the land next to Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
“Businesses have been attracted to join our modern manufacturing and technology community which offers outstanding transport connectivity, a highly-skilled talent pool and the best UK Government tax incentives available.
“Now that our expansion has been confirmed, the LEP will be working closely with partners to ensure that the new sites can boast our full package Enterprise Zone benefits including simplified planning, superfast broadband and global promotion at international events.”
