Plans for a new business park in Clifton have moved to the next stage of the planning process, with the submission of a reserved matters application.
The Clifton Business Park scheme is a major regeneration project which looks to transform a site on Wakefield Road at Clifton, near Brighouse, into a regionally significant employment site.
In addition to the high-quality employment space, proposals for the site also include new walking and cycling routes and the developed areas would be balanced with landscaping, trees and plants.
The project received outline planning approval in late 2019 and a reserved matters planning application, which includes more detailed designs, has now been submitted.
The application will soon be available to view on the Council’s planning portal and it’s expected that a final decision will be made by planning committee in Spring 2021.
Calderdale Council is working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to progress the scheme and secure additional funding. The Full Business Case, which includes detailed plans for the site and projected benefits, has now been submitted to the Combined Authority and is due to be considered for further approvals early next year.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategy, Cllr Jane Scullion, said:
“The submission of the planning application is the next step in proposals for a new business park between Brighouse and the M62 motorway. The creation of a regionally significant business space on this strategically located site has been a long-standing ambition for the Council.
“Investing in the future of our local firms and attracting new businesses to the area is now more important than ever, as part of our economic recovery from COVID.
“Development of the Clifton Business Park and Enterprise Zone would create a substantial number of new jobs and create important new business and employment opportunities in Calderdale, as well as safeguarding existing positions.”
Roger Marsh OBE DL, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the NP11 group of Northern Local Enterprise Partnerships, said:
“We have strong track record in supporting projects which deliver growth and jobs benefitting all our communities.
“We’re committed to leading the economic recovery from the impact of COVID-19 and schemes such as this will help pave a way forward for our region, alongside the work being undertaken by our West Yorkshire Economic Recovery Board.”
The proposed Clifton Business Park would be one of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Zones, supported by Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Calderdale Council, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The scheme will receive funding from the LEP, delivered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1billion package of Government investment to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.
Enterprise Zones are designated areas aimed at both new and expanding firms that provide tax breaks and Government support.
They are a driving force for the economy by unlocking key development sites, consolidating infrastructure, attracting business and creating jobs.
To date, 1.06 million square feet of new commercial space has been delivered as part of this work across the Leeds City Region, with a further 2.18 million square feet currently under construction.
All business rates growth generated from this initiative are kept by the LEP and partner councils to reinvest in local economic growth.
This reflects the Government’s commitment to long-term economic growth and enables the LEP to reinvest in site development and other local priorities, such as workforce skills development.
For more information on this and other economic regeneration and growth projects in Calderdale, head to www.calderdalenextchapter.co.uk(external link) or follow @CalderdaleNC or search #CdaleNextChapter on social media.