Council chiefs and business leaders are keeping their fingers crossed that Bradford wins Enterprise Zone status to give a significant boost to regeneration and economic development.

The city centre has been shortlisted to become the new Enterprise Zone for the Leeds City Region, a partnership between 11 local authorities including Bradford, Craven, Kirklees, Calderdale and Leeds.

Three other areas – Aire Valley, Leeds; Selby; and the Wakefield M62 corridor – are also being considered as potential sites for the zone.

A final decision on which area is chosen will be made by the City Region’s local enterprise partnership board in mid-June following analysis of the detailed proposals by a private-sector-led group. Bradford Council leader Ian Greenwood is a member of the board.

Enterprise Zones are being established as part of the Coalition Government’s approach to locally-driven economic development. They will provide business rate relief and easier planning regimes.

Councillor David Green, executive member for regeneration and economy on Bradford Council, said a city centre Enterprise Zone would accelerate investment and boost development and job creation in the area.

Coun Green said: “We are pleased that the city centre enterprise zone has been shortlisted for further consideration by the Leeds City Region board.

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