Second Humber Enterprise Zone approved

Nov. 29, 2011 - PRLog -- The Humber Green Port Corridor Enterprise Zone will cover the BAE Systems site at Brough, Queen Elizabeth Dock (north) in Hull, a large undeveloped site near Paull and several small sites in Hull, all of which will be targeted at renewable energy manufacturing companies.  It also includes land at the Port of Grimsby, which will be targeted at companies involved in renewable energy offshore operations and maintenance.

The second Enterprise Zone, which totals 161 hectares, comes in addition to the Enterprise Zone the LEP won earlier this year which, at 373 hectares, is the largest in the country.  Today the Chancellor also confirmed that the LEP will be one of only six in the country able to offer companies locating in its Enterprise Zone Enhanced Capital Allowances on plant and machinery, which will incentivise investment by the largest renewables manufacturing companies.  Depending on the size of the investment, these could be worth several million pounds.

Movement between the sites on either bank of the Humber will be assisted by the reduction in the Humber Bridge tolls announced today.

The Humber has also received further Government recognition for its potential as a location for renewable energy.  The Humber is one of only five areas to be designated Centres for Offshore Renewable Engineering (COREs) in the National Infrastructure Plan 2011, announced in the Autumn Statement; recognition of the leading role the Humber can play in this emerging sector.  As part of this, the Humber LEP has worked with central government to produce a marketing prospectus aimed at attracting offshore renewables companies to the Humber.

Lord Haskins, Chair of Humber LEP, said: “The approval of our second Enterprise Zone proposal, alongside our designation as a Centre for Offshore Renewable Engineering, is further recognition by the Government of the leading role the Humber is playing in the development of renewable energy.

“The second Enterprise Zone means we will be able to offer incentives to more manufacturers, and now operations and maintenance companies, to come to the Humber.   It is a further boost to the compelling offer we have for these companies, which includes our excellent location and existing skills, expertise and infrastructure.

“We are delighted to receive official recognition for what we can offer companies in renewables and will continue to work with Government to encourage the development of this sector in the UK and particularly around the Humber.”

Councillor Mick Burnett, deputy leader of North East Lincolnshire council, said: "This is excellent news for the area. The EZ at the Port of Grimsby will help to address the current situation at BAe and also provide local employment and business generation opportunities. Today's announcement marks North East Lincolnshire as a leading Operations & Maintenance facility within the UK market and puts the area in a position to maximise O&M investment. The inclusion of the Port of Grimsby also complements the current EZ and is key to the Humber-wide potential to be the national and international centre for renewable energy."

Councillor Steven Bayes, Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration & Employment, said:

"We welcome the news that the proposals for the additional enterprise zone have been approved. This means that Hull and the East Riding can accommodate further inward investment opportunities that will reinforce the Green Port Hull offer, to the benefit of residents and business in the region, will address the needs for the site at Brough, and is complemented by the proposals on the South Bank.

"While we welcome this additional Enterprise Zone, we will continue to argue for the retention of jobs at BAE in Brough."



Notes to editors

The full list of Humber Green Port Corridor Enterprise Zone sites are:

•   BAE Systems site, Brough - 35 hectares
•   Site near Paull – 81 hectares
•   Queen Elizabeth Dock north, Hull – 30 hectares
•   Wyke Works, Hull – 2 hectares
•   Staithes Road, Hedon – 2 hectares
•   Port of Grimsby – 11 hectares

The Humber LEP’s first Enterprise Zone covers the following sites:

•   Green Port Hull (Alexandra Dock) - 80 hectares
•   Able Marine Energy Park, Killingholme – 248 hectares
•   Queen Elizabeth Dock south, Hull – 20 hectares
•   Keystore, Hull – 1 hectare
•   Former maternity hospital site, Hull – 4 hectares
•   Burma Drive, Hull – 4 hectares
•   Marfleet Environmental Technologies Park, Hull – 3 hectares
•   Elba Street, Hull – 2 hectares
•   Valletta Street, Hull – 3 hectares
•   Rix & Kingston International Business Park, Hull – 8 hectares