Blueprint for new Clifton business park

A new business park on the gateway to Brighouse will create more jobs and could generate over £4m per annum in business rates when it is developed.

The M62 Corridor Enterprise Zones within the Leeds City Region comprises nine sites spread across the four West Yorkshire districts of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.

The Clifton site which will cover 23 hectares will offer big discounts on business rates or enhanced capital allowances for firms making large investments in plant and machinery.

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Calderdale Council’s acting Director for the Economy and Environment Mark Thompson said once fully developed, it has been estimated that the Business Rates income from the Enterprise Zone at Clifton could generate over £4m per annum if development were maximised across the whole of the site,

Mark Thompson, Calderdale Council’s Acting Director of Economy and Environment, said: “The employment site at Clifton, Brighouse, has been granted Enterprise Zone status by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government as part of a multi-site zone which covers locations along or near to the M62 in Leeds City Region.

“The aim of the Zone is to bring forward employment space and encourage businesses to expand or relocate in Calderdale, for example by offering business rate free periods or allowances for capital investment. This is particularly timely given the pressure on businesses following the Boxing Day floods and the need to provide a wider range of employment premises.”

“The development of the site at Clifton will take several years to complete, with a careful balance between creating new employment space, enhancing the local environment and protecting residential amenity.”

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Steven Leigh, Head of Policy, Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said the enterprise zone, will be a boost to Calderdale but more can be done to help more businesses.

“We would rather have an enterprise zone than not have one in Calderdale. We thought that in the difficult economic times that more businesses could be helped with more of these zones created.

“It will be boost for Calderdale if we can get businesses coming into the area or those looking to expand.

“We all want to see the same objective which is increasing productivity, wealth and prosperity in Calderdale and the way to do that is to have successful businesses,” added Mr Leigh.

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Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership Chair Roger Marsh OBE said: “The advanced and innovative manufacturing opportunities along the M62 corridor give us a unique offering to potential investors and businesses looking to benefit from the advantages of locating on an Enterprise Zone.

“With the Leeds City Region boasting the largest concentration of manufacturing businesses anywhere in the country, these sites will support the wider manufacturing and logistics sector.