During the budget statement the chancellor has announced a new round of enterprise zones which Enterprise Partnerships can apply for. Following the successful build of the link road a natural Enterprise zone in Morecambe and Lunesdale would be White Lund.
Speaking in the Budget statement David Morris MP said:
Would my right hon. Friend lookfavourablyon an enterprise zone application for Morecambe White Lund and on a coastal community’s investment, because Morecambe needs more money on top of the £1 billion that was delivered by the previous Government? I am sure that, with the Secretary of State’s help, we can do better.
In response the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government said:
I know from the last Parliament what a fighter my hon. Friend is for his area. I would welcome an application for Morecambe not just for an enterprise zone, but for the coastal communities fund—announcements were made on those two important policies in the Budget. I say to Members from all parts of the House that this is a big opportunity for them to work with the council and business leaders in their area to put forward a compelling bid for funds and, indeed, the devolution arrangements.
The funding for the next tranche of Enterprise Zones is now open and due to the positive response from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, David Morris MP will be urging the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership to submit a bid for an enterprise zone in White Lund.
David Morris MP said ‘An Enterprise Zone on White Lund is a great opportunity for the LEP to build on the link road construction and create a project in another part of Lancashire from their Preston based projects. White Lund is a thriving hub of business already, with companies who export around the world, but as an Enterprise Zone it can flourish even further’.