THE YORK, North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has chosen Scarborough Business Park as its preferred location for an Enterprise Zone.

The site will now be assessed against proposals submitted by other LEPs nationally for one of the remaining ten enterprise zones yet to be designated, which will enjoy benefits including reduced business rates and a simplified planning regime. They will also provide some income for the LEP, which will keep the business rates for 25 years.

The board chose Scarborough Business Park from four shortlisted sites, also including the Selby Olympia Park development, York Central and York Heslington East.

Barry Dodd, chairman of the LEP, said: “Each bid was assessed against the criteria, and whilst they each had something to recommend them, it was agreed unanimously that the Scarborough proposal hits the most buttons and therefore gives us the best chance of success.

“We firmly believe that, working closely with our partners in Scarborough, we can put together a really strong bid that, if successful, will make a massive difference to business growth.”

Scarborough Business Park, which is 175 hectares large, is already home to more than 100 businesses including world leaders McCain Foods, Plaxton, UPM Raflatac, Pindar and Legrand Electric.

In recent years Scarborough Borough Council has worked with Caddick Developments to invest a further £10 million of public and private funding to service an additional 50 hectares of land, complete with next generation broadband internet access. It will target sectors such as the offshore wind supply chain and potash servicing businesses.

Coun Tom Fox, leader of Scarborough Borough Council, said: “We are delighted that Scarborough has been chosen as the region’s bid for an Enterprise Zone. The decision has obviously shown that the business park has genuine growth potential to create many new businesses and jobs, which would boost the economy over a wide area. A successful outcome would have huge benefits, with positive effects being seen throughout the region.”

Selby’s Olympia Park development has also been shortlisted by the Leeds City Region LEP as a potential Enterprise Zone.

Leeds City Region was granted its Enterprise Zone from the Government when it announced the scheme in the Budget. The board is meeting tonight to discuss the potential sites.