PLANS to create 20,000 jobs in and around York and deliver £3 billion of growth have been outlined as key priorities for the region's Local Enterprise Partnership.

The York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP has submitted its Strategic Economic Plan and Local Growth Deal Implementation Plan to Government, outlining its plans for growth and the funds needed to achieve them.

By 2021 the LEP has pledged to create 20,000 jobs, deliver £3 billion of growth, connect every student to business and double housebuilding across the region.

At the forefront of a five year campaign of targeted investment is a £52 million Growth Hub that will bring together partners from across the region to deliver support solutions to more than 13,000 businesses.

The Local Growth Deal Implementation Plan sets out key LEP investments from 2015, including £30.8 million to be spent on Business Growth, made up of £11 million to be invested in the University of York's proposed Biohub, £2.3 million on the National Agrifood Innovation Campus, £2.4 million on the Business Growth Hub, and £15 million on a small business grants programme.

The investment plan also outlines £17 million to be invested in skills, including a £1.6 million investment in Askham Bryan College and £4 million towards a new Harrogate College.

Plans are also laid out for £20.1 million investment in the region's infrastructure.

Barry Dodd, chairman of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP said: "We will deliver growth by supporting our many small and micro businesses to realise their potential, while investing in our leading edge assets in the food manufacturing, agritech and bio-renewables sectors.

"We must also make sure our growing businesses can recruit good quality staff. We already have some great schools and colleges, we will take this further by connecting every student with business, we will ensure our next generation of employees have the right skills and the right attitude that growing businesses need.

"We will target investment in infrastructure where it will have greatest impact, so that growing businesses have the space to expand, so that our

transport network lets business move their goods and people quickly and reliably and we will invest in housing, so that skilled people can afford to live in the area."