The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has published its draft Strategic Economic Plan, which demonstrates how through accelerated growth the region could see an extra 40,000 new jobs created and 72,000 new homes built.
The 100-page document details how the Marches has the capability to deliver houses and employment sites at speed with a dedicated investment fund. And it highlights the importance of having the freedom to unlock land for development and support for infrastructure projects if the Marches is to achieve its potential.
The private sector-led Board of the Marches LEP, which includes the Leaders of the local authorities of Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, has approved the draft plan and is now inviting comments and feedback from organisations, businesses and communities across the region.
Chairman of the Marches LEP, Graham Wynn OBE, said: “Our Strategic Economic Plan is an investment proposition. It says that with the right financial levers, investment by Whitehall and the private sector in our region, we can create prosperity and growth for the people who live and work here and the businesses which are based here.
“The plan is the result of extensive work and research, and now we are entering a period of consultation with stakeholders and the business community. This is a vital document, it is our bid to Government for a Marches Growth Deal.
“Our region is brimming with opportunity and this plan identifies the priorities which need addressing so that our region can deliver to its potential.”
The draft plan has received cross-county support from the Leaders of the three local authorities, with Herefordshire Council, Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council key public sector partners which will be delivering the LEP’s programme of work.
Councillor Tony Johnson, Leader of Herefordshire Council, said: “This Strategic Economic Plan is an aspiration for what we can achieve working in partnership with each other and with Government. The Hereford Enterprise Zone is the flagship delivery project of the Marches LEP, and alone has the potential to create thousands of jobs.”
Councillor Keith Barrow, Leader of Shropshire Council, said removing the barriers to growth would see rapid development and delivery of shovel-ready schemes.
“We want the business community, our stakeholders, to support the vision we have for the Marches, which is for a strong, diverse and enterprising business base. This draft plan sets out how we think that vision can be achieved – it is ambitious but we have the experience and the opportunity on our doorstop to get this done.”
Councillor Kuldip Sahota, Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “We have worked in partnership across the three areas to develop a draft economic plan which demonstrates how we can build for the future, supporting businesses, creating jobs and building homes. We can demonstrate a track record in delivery with numerous current programmes under way, including the £250 million Southwater scheme in Telford.”
The Plan says growth is contingent on the creation of an investment fund; more freedom to unlock land for development; support for infrastructure projects, including transport programmes and having the flexibility to pool resources to address youth unemployment and skills as well as scope for supporting more higher and further education provision in the Marches.
The LEP also makes clear that investment in education and skills is a priority, highlighting the benefit to the region of Centres of Excellence such as Harper Adams University. The University recently opened its Agricultural Innovation Centre, part funded by the Marches LEP Development Fund, which will support the creation of more than 200 new jobs.
The Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) has now been published on the Marches LEP website and is available for download. Comments on the plan are invited to be submitted via the feedback form to [email protected] until the end of the month.