Chamber welcomes news about expansion of Enterprise Zone

11th March 2014

The Sheffield Chamber of Commerce has welcomed plans to increase the size of the Sheffield City Region Enterprise Zone by almost a half.

Following extensive talks between local leaders and Government officials to negotiate the deal, the Zone will see expansions in Barnsley, Rotherham, Sheffield and Markham Vale, Derbyshire, as well a new site at Doncaster-Sheffield Airport. The Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has brokered the deal with Government, which will mean that investors looking to set up in the Sheffield City Region will be able to access tax breaks across a new range of prime sites. The existing Enterprise Zone sites totals 145 hectares. This will increase by 70 hectares to 215 hectares. Richard Wright, Executive Director of the Chamber said: "This is good news for the region and should greatly aid the task of the Inward Investment team in attracting great businesses to invest here. We have something positive to offer! "We are particularly pleased about the area around Doncaster Sheffield airport because it continues to underpin the long term strategic work to establish a proper regional airport that services the business sector. -A viable and significant airport in the region is important to us and we are fully behind the broad business plan that they are embarked on," added Richard. The announcement was made today at MIPIM, where the LEP is showcasing the Enterprise Zone to an audience of 20,000 influential decision makers from the international property market. Access to the new Enterprise Zone site at Doncaster Sheffield Airport will be improved by a new link to the M18 via the new FARRRS link road (Finningley and Rossington Regeneration Route Scheme). Construction of the new road is already underway, and it will connect the M18 at junction 3 to Doncaster Sheffield airport and the Inland Port development. The new road will be ready in early 2016.