The Aerohub @ Newquay Cornwall Airport Enterprise Zone hosted an Open Day as part of the consultation phase for the second Local Development Order (LDO) this week.
Aerohub was the first Enterprise Zone in the UK to have a Local Development Order, which simplifies the planning permission process and makes it more efficient.
The proposed second LDO on the Aerohub site has the potential to grant permission for a 35.5 hectare Business Park for business, general industry or storage and distribution use.
Plans for the Business Park also include an ancillary hotel, retail and leisure facilities which will be developed over the next 20 years. The business park site 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 the next key step in developing Aerohub @ Newquay Cornwall Airport. The Business Park will be at the heart of the only aerospace focused Enterprise Zone and will provide businesses with a unique operating environment, offering significant investment and development opportunities as well as access to a skilled and experienced workforce.”
The Aerohub already has a number of high profile clients within the 280-acre site and there is plenty of investor interest in the significant growth potential on the largest single development site in the South West. The LDO is a key element of Enterprise Zone policy and, through its simplification of the planning framework, makes it a key incentive in attracting investment and new business opportunities to the area.
Miles Carden, Enterprise Zone Manager, Cornwall Development Company said; “We are delighted to open consultation for the second Local Development Order, after a successful start to the project over the last year. We are also very proud that yet again Cornwall will be leading the UK, as our EZ was the first to have an LDO in place and, if the second is approved, the enterprise zone will have one of the largest areas covered by a local development order in existence.”
Cornwall Development Company has worked with Cornwall Council on a second Order after successfully securing the first UK Enterprise Zone LDO in 2011. The Order and accompanying development framework is funded through the European Regional Development Fund Convergence Programme.
Stephen Rushworth, Cornwall Council Portfolio Holder for Economy & Regeneration said; “The aerospace industry is showing considerable growth potential and Aerohub has quickly established itself as a centre of excellence and innovation. The Local Development Order allows for efficient and effective planning, which is an invaluable tool to help attract a first class industry in Cornwall.”
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.
