2013-04-23 — /travelprnews.com/ — Aerohub @ Newquay Cornwall Airport Enterprise Zone was today established as one of the largest planning free development areas in the UK, after it was awarded its second Local Development Order (LDO).
The new LDO provides a simplified planning process and allows development on the Aerohub site without the need for planning permission, including the potential for a 35.5 hectare Business Park to be built. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles today announced approval for the Enterprise Zone’s second Local Development Order, making the Aerohub one of the largest planning free development sites in the UK. Approval for the LDO comes after a successful Open Day held by Aerohub in January to mark the start of the consultation phase.
Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government said:“Enterprise Zones are creating new local jobs and stimulating business ventures through significant tax incentives, simplified planning and superfast broadband that will rebalance the economy. I’m delighted that the Aerohub @ Newquay Cornwall Airport Enterprise Zone is taking advantage of these changes and by getting simplified planning in place can boost employment and growth in Cornwall.”
Plans for the Business Park include an ancillary hotel and retail and leisure facilities, which will be developed over the next 20 years. The site also forms an integral part of the successful bid by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to establish the Enterprise Zone at Newquay Cornwall Airport.
Chris Pomfret, Chair of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly LEP, said “This is a major milestone for the Aerohub project and we are delighted DCLG has approved the LDO, which will be crucial in developing Aerohub @ Newquay Cornwall Airport. We are in the unique position of being one of the largest planning free environments in the UK and the Business Park will be at the heart of Aerohub’s development. It will provide businesses with a unique operating environment, offering significant investment and development opportunities as well as access to a skilled and experienced workforce”
Cornwall Development Company worked with Cornwall Council on a second LDO after successfully securing the first UK Enterprise Zone LDO in 2011. The original LDO on Newquay Cornwall Airport covered a significant area of development land totalling over 58 Ha (144acres) and in total the LDO covered 280Ha and (691 acres) of land.
Miles Carden, Enterprise Zone Manager, Cornwall Development Company said: “The Aerohub is already home to a number of high profile clients and this second LDO will be the key incentive to attract further investment, new business opportunities to the area and job creation. The aerospace industry is showing considerable growth potential and Aerohub has quickly established itself as a centre of excellence and innovation. The LDO allows efficient and effective planning, which is an invaluable tool to help attract a first class industry in Cornwall.”
Sandra Rothwell, Head of Economic Development for Cornwall Council, said “The Council agreed this second LDO proposal before it was submitted to DCLG and we are delighted that the Secretary of State has recognised the importance of this milestone in the development of our enterprise zone.”
The two LDOs combined cover over 243 hectares (600 acres) of land making it one of the largest areas covered by LDOs in the UK. The second LDO and accompanying development framework is funded through the ERDF Convergence Programme.
The Enterprise Zone is being led by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership and Cornwall Council, as the owners of the airport and surrounding land. They have co-commissioned Cornwall Development Company, the Council’s arm’s length development company, to deliver the project alongside Cornwall Airport Limited as the operator of the Airport.
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