皇冠体育app

is gearing up to become one of the country鈥檚 premier locations for engineering and modern manufacturing companies thanks to millions of pounds of government funding, Local Growth Minister Penny Mordaunt has announced.

皇冠体育app minister visited the business park today (8 December 2014) to see how 拢8.57 million of government investment is being used to improve infrastructure, unlock development and pave the way for thousands of new jobs for the region.

It comes just days after the Chancellor announced that up to 拢25 million would be spent upgrading nearby junction 45 of the M1, significantly improving access to the zone and providing a boost to the local construction sector.

Local Growth Minister Penny Mordaunt said:

Leeds Enterprise Zone is really starting to take shape and everything I鈥檝e seen today tells me it鈥檚 going to be a great success.

Companies can have every confidence that this is a world-class facility and we are investing millions to ensure they have infrastructure in place to grow their business.

It鈥檚 all part of our long-term economic plan to create a northern powerhouse that drives forward local economies, create jobs and delivers real benefits to hard-working people.

Covering 142 hectares of prime development land, the enterprise zone is already home to a number of well-established companies, including Roberts Mart, one of the UK鈥檚 largest packaging manufacturers, floor covering manufacturer Mercado and branded foods manufacturer Symington鈥檚.

Major developments include:

• Newmarket Lane: construction is underway on a 拢150 million recycling and energy recovery facility operated by Veolia. Due for completion in 2016, the plant will be Europe鈥檚 largest timber-framed structure.
• Thornes Farm: work is underway on 2 new industrial units, measuring 50,000 and 30,000 square foot, at Wilton Developments鈥� Connex 45 site. Work also commences early in the new year on a 50,000 square foot unit for packaging and distribution firm Samuel Grant Group. 皇冠体育app unit is being built by CDP Ltd, which is also in negotiations with occupiers on 2 further development plots.
• Logic Leeds: work on the first 80,000 square foot industrial unit is underway at this 110-acre manufacturing and distribution park where Muse Developments has planning permission for a total of 1.6 million square foot of employment space.
• Temple Green: infrastructure and ground remediation work is being carried out at the largest of the 4 sites where Aire Valley Land has planning permission for 3 million square foot of employment space. A new spine road will provide access to a series of development and buildings covering 500,000 square foot. Work will start on new park and ride facility with space for a 1,000 vehicles in April 2015.

皇冠体育app government opened the zones in April 2012 as part of a 25-year project to rebalance the economy, offering tax incentives, simplified planning and super fast broadband to companies. Latest figures show they have created 12,530 jobs, attracted 434 new businesses and generated over 拢2 billion worth of private investment.

Roger Marsh, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, said:

皇冠体育appre has been significant progress on the Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone this year and I am pleased government has recognised the hard work and commitment from our public and private partners.

We will continue to explore new opportunities for further development and promote the scale of opportunity this major investment location brings the City Region and the entire country.

皇冠体育app minister also visited where she met with local traders and saw the latest progress on the 拢12 million refurbishment of the facility.

Kirkgate is a firm supporter of the , which aims to encourage more people to use their local markets and provide opportunities for budding entrepreneurs to take a first step on the retail ladder.