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Dec 2022

Last Updated: 09/12/2022

Politics

Council defends bid to create doomed investment zones in Harrogate district

by Calvin Robinson

| 09 Dec, 2022

ripon-15th-march-2022-potter-space-sign-2

The leader of North Yorkshire County Council has defended its decision to support the government's doomed investment zones.

The council submitted expressions of interest to create 11 zones, including three in the Harrogate district at junction 47 of the A1 near Knaresborough, business park Potter Space Ripon at junction 50 of the A1 and Harrogate Convention Centre.

The zones, which were a key policy under former Prime Minister Liz Truss’ administration, were supposed to benefit from tax incentives and liberalised planning regulations.

But some environmental groups expressed concerns about their potential impact on nature and the landscape.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in his autumn statement the scheme would be focused towards research and the council’s proposals would no longer be taken forward.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said the authority remained "committed” to economic growth in the county despite the decision.

He said:

“We understood when making our submission that the investment zones proposal was at a very early stage and that there were no guarantees.

"However, we are committed to seeking opportunities to support sustainable growth whenever possible, so we believed there was value in presenting an expression of interest relating to suitable sites around North Yorkshire. These sites were selected following discussions with colleagues in district and borough councils.

“All the sites put forward for consideration are locations that have already been earmarked for commercial development to support business growth and job creation. While the proposed benefits of investment zones may have been attractive to new businesses, we will continue to work with our partners to support economic growth across the county.

“In Harrogate, the convention centre is the subject of a bid to the government’s Levelling-Up Fund. We hope to learn the outcome of this bid shortly.”

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What now for Harrogate Convention Centre after investment zones dropped?

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Council defends bid to create doomed investment zones in Harrogate district

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