The hi-tech life sciences hub at Alderley Park has been unveiled by the Chancellor as part of a new enterprise zone.
George Osborne announced in his Autumn Statement that the Cheshire Science Corridor Enterprise Zone - a collection of science and tech-focused developments - will cover Cheshire East’s Alderley Park.
Enterprise zones offer companies business rates relief, streamlined planning regulations through the use of local development orders, and capital funding assistance aimed at supporting job creation.
The life sciences hub at Alderley Park is being developed after pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca announced it is moving most of its operation out of the site.
Cheshire East Council has a 10 per cent stake in the Manchester Science Partnership, which aims to build on Alderley Park’s international reputation as a centre of excellence in the world of bioscience and life science research and development.
The announcement is a significant step towards delivering 7,000 new jobs in life sciences at the site and was hailed by Cheshire East Council Leader Councillor Michael Jones as a ‘real boost’ to the Cheshire East science corridor.
Coun Jones said: “This is a great vote of confidence in, and achievement for, Alderley Park, Cheshire East Council and reinforces the science corridor.
“I greatly welcome this clear sign of the Chancellor’s commitment to growing the already world-class life science cluster in the Cheshire and Warrington area.
“We look forward to working with all the partners in this new innovation enterprise zone to achieve real benefits for companies, not only in Alderley Park, following on from the science ‘catapult’ in medical technologies.
“This is great news for the whole region and strong evidence of the Northern Powerhouse in action.”
The Chancellor also announced yesterday a £400m Northern Powerhouse investment fund will be created to help small businesses to grow – with £5m going to Manchester Museum and £150m to help make oyster-style ticketing a reality across the North.
The news follows the launch of a £30m Greater Manchester and Cheshire Life Sciences Fund, expansion of AZ’s Hurdsfield operation and Cheshire East Council’s investment of £1m in Jodrell Bank to help unlock funding for radio telescope to lead the international Square Kilometre Array project.
