MORE than 4,000 jobs could be created thanks to a package of over £17 million of funding from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) to accelerate infrastructure projects and the development of its two Enterprise Zones.
Six projects with the potential of creating around 4,300 jobs and around 4,500 new homes in East Sussex, Essex, Kent and Thurrock will benefit from a total of around £13 million of Growing Places Funding (GPF).
The business-led partnership also set aside £2 million to support the development of the MedTech capital project at the Enterprise West Essex Enterprise Zone in Harlow, Essex, and a further £1.8 million a year for the next five years to support the success of both the Harlow Enterprise Zone and Discovery Park Enterprise Zone in Sandwich, Kent.
SELEP has now allocated all of the £49 million of GPF provided by the government to help deliver jobs and homes. In total the schemes supported by SELEP have the potential of creating over 20,630 jobs directly and indirectly, and the potential for unlocking around 25,000 new homes
SELEP director, Dr Susan Priest, said: “This investment ensures we not only support schemes that will deliver growth and jobs, but also helps our enterprise zones to fulfil their potential. This will provide benefit to the South East and the country as a whole.
“Allocating all of our GPF funding proves the appetite and opportunities for delivering growth in the South East. We have a pipeline of projects that could create many more thousands of jobs and will continue to ensure the government is aware of our desire and ability to deliver.”
The six schemes that could receive funding are:
• North Colchester Connectivity, Essex
• Bexhill Innovation Mall, East Sussex
• Grays Magistrates Court, Thurrock
• Canterbury: Sturry Road, Kent
• Dartford Northern Gateway, Kent
• Ebbsfleet Valley, Kent
Rumour has it Wetherspoons may dip their toes back into Thurrock. Sad South Ockendon and Tilbury ventures failed.