Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP has announced the creation of a North Derbyshire Manufacturing Zone.
The £220,000 funding will support the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership to develop the Northern Derbyshire Manufacturing Zone which aims accelerate development on 6 sites across 3 local authorities in northern Derbyshire (Bolsover, North East Derbyshire and Chesterfield). They all have a recognised manufacturing heritage and presence to enable the area to benefit from potential investment associated with the development and maintenance of HS2.
The North Derbyshire Manufacturing Zone aims to provide greater certainty on planning issues to unlock investment for growth by manufacturing businesses in the zone, ensuring more productive land-use and boosting investment and productivity in the area.
This is one of four projects, announced today, involved in the space industry, food sector, and the development of HS2, which will form the new and innovative East Midlands Manufacturing Zones,
Melton Mowbray, Space Park Leicester, and the areas across North Derbyshire and Greater Lincolnshire will together benefit from a total of £500,000 funding to develop their plans.
The investment builds on existing strengths in space, food and advanced manufacturing across the region, helping these important sectors to flourish and boost economic growth and jobs in the Midlands Engine.
The East Midlands Manufacturing Zones aim to reduce planning restrictions to allow land to be used more productively and provide certainty for business investment.
The announcement comes as the Secretary of State, who is also the government’s Midlands Engine Champion, visits organisations across the East Midlands today to hear how they are contributing to a thriving region at the heart of the UK’s economic success.
Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire said: “Manufacturing, innovation and trade are at the heart of the East Midlands economy, so it is the perfect place for the UK’s first Manufacturing Zones.”
“This is another example of how the government’s is delivering for the Midlands with our modern Industrial Strategy backing local businesses and building on local strengths.”
Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “ This announcement is further proof that Chesterfield’s manufacturing sector has the ‘ingredients’ ready and waiting to attract further investment and respond to HS2 opportunities. Thanks to the town’s strong manufactured heritage, we have the skilled workforce with support in place to deliver future skilled workers through both the Apprentice Town and Made in Chesterfield initiatives.
“For the last four years Destination Chesterfield has worked hard to promote jobs and careers in the engineering and manufacturing industry to schools and students in North Derbyshire. The funding for the North Derbyshire Manufacturing Zone not only signals further investment in the town, but also future job prospects for the 14,000 young people who will leave school in the next six years.”
The government’s Midlands Engine strategy is supporting the East Midlands to realise its huge potential.
Initiatives including over £1.9 billion of funding from the Local Growth Fund and an investment of £20 million in the Midlands Skills Challenge to boost people’s employment prospects are enabling businesses to create more jobs, export more goods and services and grow their productivity. Since 2010 unemployment has fallen 38% and there are 64,500 more small businesses.
The East Midlands has also received sustained investment in recent years, including more than £400 million for the strategic road network, more than £60 million to tackle congestion and improve local transport.
