Enterprize Zone Success for Harwell Oxford
Harwell Oxford, the world class location for science, technology and business, has been named as part of one of the Government’s new Enterprise zones across the UK.
A joint venture by global property group Goodman, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and The Science and Facilities Technology Councils (STFC), Harwell Oxford played a leading role in the successful bid for Enterprise zone status by Oxfordshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
The Government has today announced a range of new enterprise zones, which Ministers expect to deliver 30,000 new jobs by 2015 and provide cheaper business rates, superfast broadband and simplified planning procedures.
The successful bid is great news for Oxfordshire's Science Vale area and will deliver 200,000 square metres of development by the private sector by 2015. This is expected to bring in around 8,400 high-tech, high-value-adding jobs and generate up to £10.5m of additional business rates a year. These funds can be directly reinvested into the Oxfordshire economy.
The zone will consist of two of the UK’s leading science and innovation hubs – Harwell Oxford and Milton Park, which together will help increase the competitiveness of this area, both in the UK and globally.
The Directors of Harwell Oxford and Milton Park believe their unique partnership contributed to the success of the bid. Harwell Oxford Director, Dr Sally Ann Forsyth, said: “This is just the boost that Science Vale UK needs to continue its legacy as oneof the world’s leading locations for research and the commercialisation of science.Enterprise zone status will encourage new companies from around the world to co-locate at Harwell Oxford where they can engage with world leading scientist and have access to outstanding scientific facilities. This will help to speed the delivery of great UK science into local business and out to the global market place.”.
She continued: “Harwell Oxford has a 60 year history of excellence in science and technology. Goodman is working closely with its joint venture partners to develop the site into a world-leading location for science, technology and business and a hub for technology transfer and innovation.”
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About Harwell Oxford
Harwell Oxford has a 60 year history of excellence in science and technology and is today being developed into a world-leading hub for technology transfer and innovative businesses as part of a joint venture by global property group Goodman, The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and The Science and Facilities Technology Council.
Please visit: www.harwelloxford.com
About the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership
Launched in early 2011, the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership is a voluntary body made up of representatives from business, academia and the wider public sector. It has support from businesses across the county, ranging from small local businesses to internationally renowned corporations. It acts as an advocate for business, innovation and growth in Oxfordshire and beyond and has a number of key intervention programmes underway to address high profile deficiencies identified by businesses.
About Science Vale UK
Science Vale UK is a global hot spot for enterprise and innovation in science, high technology and the application of knowledge. The approved 92 hectare Enterprise Zone is shared across 2 locations (Harwell Oxford and Milton Park) within Science Vale area. Science Vale UK comprises an area of the county which includes Harwell Oxford, Milton Park , Culham Science Centre and Grove Technology Park. Collectively this is one of the largest clusters of science research and innovation in the world.
About Local Enterprise Zones
A total of 21 Enterprise Zones have been created across the UK, after an announcement made on Budget Day this year identified the first eleven. Ten further Enterprise Zones (EZ's) were selected as a result of a competitive process in which approximately 25 Local Enterprise Partnership areas were bidding for this prestige status.