A nationally important bid involving a growing high tech employment area on Ellesmere Port’s outskirts has hit the button.

The huge new enterprise zone initiative, which has approval from the Government, is intended to secure major growth for what is known as Cheshire’s ‘Science Corridor’.

The 21st century concept links together Cheshire and Warrington’s nationally and internationally significant research facilities which run from the University of Chester’s Thornton Science Park on Pool Lane, Ince and leading science companies in Ellesmere Port through to enterprises in north and east Cheshire.

The Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), set up to drive development in the sub region, says it is ‘delighted’ that the Government has decided to award enterprise zone status to the corridor.

Achieving enterprise zone status means new investors in Ellesmere Port and at the science park will be able to benefit from enhanced capital allowances.

The University of Chester's newly created hi tech science park on Ellesmere Port's outskirts
The University of Chester's newly created hi tech science park on Ellesmere Port's outskirts

The LEP says the decision is an important step in realising the ambitions for Cheshire and Warrington to become a £50bn economy in the next 25 years. This would support the government’s Northern Powerhouse vision and the growth of science based enterprises at national level.

Christine Gaskell, chairman of the partnership, said: “As the home to a leading and nationally significant science sector, securing enterprise zone status is great news for Cheshire and Warrington that will enable us to drive further economic growth and deliver the crucial infrastructure we need to support it.

“Our aim is to make Cheshire and Warrington the best place in the country to set up and grow a business and the Cheshire science corridor enterprise zone will be a flagship of this initiative.”

The decision has been welcomed by Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Justin Madders who described the announcement as ‘positive news’.

The University of Chester's newly created hi tech science park
The University of Chester's newly created hi tech science park

He commented: “I hope that this will lead to more major employers deciding to locate in this area attracted by the tax advantages an enterprise zone brings and that people in Ellesmere Port and Neston will be the first to benefit from any high-skilled, well-paid jobs that are created.

“I also hope that this will lead the Government to look again at their decision not to improve the M56 between junctions 12 and 14 until at least 2020 as I fear we will not realise the potential this zone can bring if we fail to sort out major infrastructure challenges such as this.”

At an earlier stage it was pointed out that if successful the bid for enterprise zone status to drive the growth of the science corridor would ‘significantly boost’ the number of science and innovation businesses in Cheshire and Warrington, create new jobs and attract in the region of £100m to be reinvested in essential infrastructure.

The initiative has been developed by the LEP as a key feature of the sub-region’s bid for devolved powers.

It is argued these would support the growth of the area’s economy to more than double its current size by 2040 to £50bn.

At Thornton Science Park, Paul Vernon, chief executive of Thornton Research Properties, said at the time: “It’s great news for Thornton science park to be included in this nationally significant bid for enterprise zone status as part of the Cheshire science corridor which will help us to fully realise the potential of the park as a major research and innovation hub and a centre of excellence.

“This would be a welcome boost for businesses based here and ensure we are well placed to continue our aspirations for growth.”