Thank you for your interest in this story

To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week

    Already a subscriber? Log in here.

    18

    Nov 2022

    Last Updated: 17/11/2022
    Politics
    Politics

    Uncertainty over Harrogate district investment zones after government 'refocuses' scheme

    by Calvin Robinson

    | 18 Nov, 2022
    Comment

    0

    Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced yesterday that the government would change its approach on investment zones. Three sites in the Harrogate district were chosen to take part in the scheme.

    auditorium-exterior-1
    Harrogate Convention Centre

    There is uncertainty over the future of planned investment zones in the Harrogate district after the government announced it will “change its approach” on the policy.

    Three sites were earmarked in the district for the zones, which were a key policy under former Prime Minister Liz Truss’s administration.

    The sites include junction 47 of the A1 near Knaresborough, business park Potter Space Ripon at junction 50 of the A1, and Harrogate Convention Centre.

    The government said previously that the zones, which would have received liberalised planning laws and tax incentives for businesses, would support economic growth.

    However, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt yesterday announced in his autumn statement that the scheme would be focused towards research.

    He said:

    “I will also change our approach to investment zones which will now focus on leveraging our research strengths, to help build clusters for our new growth industries.
    “My right honourable friend the Levelling Up Secretary will work with mayors, devolved administrations and local partners to achieve that with the first decisions announced ahead of the spring budget.”


    According to Treasury documents, the government intends to "refocus the investment zones programme" and use it to "catalyse a limited number of the highest potential knowledge-intensive growth clusters".

    The document added that, as a result, the expressions of interests submitted by councils "will therefore not be taken forward".

    The news comes after Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, admitted on Wednesday that he did not expect the zones to progress.




    Read more:







    The county council was named as one of 38 local authorities in talks with the government over creating investment zones back in September.

    The authority then earmarked 12 commercial sites as part of an expression of interest for the scheme.

    However, Cllr Les told councillors at a meeting on Wednesday that he did not expect the initiative to go any further.

    He said:

    “I have to say I don’t think that investment zones are going to proceed.
    “The Secretary of State is reviewing them and they will not go forward.”