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PRIVACY
Economic Development

North Wales investment zone could create up to 6,000 new jobs

The zone has been designed to build on the success of the region's advanced manufacturing sector

Leader of Wrexham Council Mark Pritchard.(Image: Copyright Unknown)

A planned £160m backed advanced manufacturing Investment zone across Flintshire and Wrexham is expected to create 6,000 jobs.

The scheme is a collaboration between Flintshire County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council, the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee, Welsh Government and º£½ÇÊÓÆµ Government.

By offering tax and rate relief it aims to speed up the development of key industrial sites, encourage the creation of new manufacturing jobs and attract £1bn of investment into the region.

Revenue funding generated by the sites will be available to both Flintshire and Wrexham councils to fund further economic growth - including two areas where they can collect 50% of business rates generated by businesses for 25 years. Over 15 years that is estimated to be worth almost £28m for Wrexham and £19m for Flintshire.

Flintshire and Wrexham are the most important parts of the industrialised part of North Wales," said Wrexham County Borough Council leader Mark Pritchard. He added: "We're very close to the border with England and compete with Liverpool, Manchester and areas connected by the M56 and M53. It's important we work together to bring growth, investment and employment."

The investment zone tax sites will be based across three areas - The Deeside Gateway - comprising the airfields and other former RAF Sealand land around Deeside Industrial Park, Wrexham Industrial Estate and Warren Hall near Broughton - which is strategic land currently owned by the Welsh Government.

There will only be two Investment zones in Wales - the other being across Cardiff and Newport.

Flexible funding of £160m from the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ Government is available to help fund infrastructure development of the North Wales sites. Money will also go towards improving local transport links. There will also be skills investment to ensure local workers are ready to capitalise on the employment opportunities within zone.