A series of major projects across Calderdale may now get the go ahead as part of the Leeds City Region Growth Deal 3 settlement.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet will meet to discuss a report which outlines how some of the money may be invested in the borough to boost growth and jobs.
The announcement of an additional £67.5m investment in Leeds City Region was made by the Government in January 2017. This means the region will have received over £1.1bn of Growth Deal investment since 2014, creating over 19,600 jobs over the next five years.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, Cllr Barry Collins said:
“The deal offers us some real opportunities in Calderdale and will allow us to deliver on our priority to grow the economy and build on the major investments in our infrastructure which are being delivered through the West Yorkshire Transport Fund.
“The Growth Deal investment will now fund further large scale projects which will bring major benefits to our local towns, protect our communities and businesses and help our local economy to flourish.”
Calderdale will receive a share of a £10 million fund to accelerate the development of the Clifton Enterprise Zone, close to the M62. The Council is already working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership to transform the empty site into a regionally significant business park to house Calderdale’s growing firms, whilst also attracting new businesses from outside the region.
The Growth Deal will also provide additional support for businesses. The Business Growth Programme will allow small and medium enterprises to continue to access grants to support job creation, business growth and potential opportunities in overseas markets, whilst the Business Expansion Fund will provide support for companies seeking to expand.
The Leeds City Region was awarded £20 million in the Growth Deal, specifically to strengthen flood defences, to protect communities and safeguard jobs. Over 1,600 businesses in the Calder Valley were affected by the Boxing Day floods in December 2015, with reported losses of around £47m.
Mytholmroyd is likely to benefit from additional money to help fund the planned flood prevention works within the town, in partnership with the Environment Agency. Brighouse may also receive funding for flood prevention schemes, while support for natural flood management is also available.
Plans to develop housing at sites close to Halifax town centre are also under consideration, to provide up to 150 new homes and help stimulate the local housing market.
Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership said:
“The continuing delivery of our devolved Growth Deal funding, now totalling £1.1bn, means we are well on the way to creating 36,000 additional jobs and adding another £3.7billion for our City Region’s economy over the next 20 years.
“In the largest city region outside London, the impact of local partnership-working, through major schemes like these in Calderdale, is being fully realised. Together, we will ensure Leeds City Region fulfils its potential to become the best place to live, work and prosper in the UK.”
The Cabinet will discuss the report at the next meeting, which will be held at 6pm on Monday 6 March 2017 at Halifax Town Hall.