YORK'S largest undeveloped brownfield site could become the city's first Enterprise Zone creating £100 million, more than 6,000 jobs and finally unlocking York Central.

An application has been made to Government to make York Central a designated Enterprise Zone, which if successful will see businesses on the site enjoy five years of business rate relief, with City of York Council keeping rate revenues thereafter rather then sending them to Whitehall.

The council, which made the bid in partnership with the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership, says funding from business rates will enable it to invest in the infrastructure requirements needed to "unlock" the York Central site for further development.

The authority believes the site has the potential to generate income of more than £100 million in rates once developed to its full potential.

The bid itself contains estimates that the Enterprise Zone will attract businesses and investment, which in turn will create up to 6,600 jobs, and generate an additional £1.1 billion for the region's economy.

Cllr Chris Steward, leader of City of York Council, said: "For decades, York Central has been the big opportunity for the city to realise its full potential as a high-value economic hub.

"Today is a major milestone in making this regeneration opportunity a reality.

"With the highest levels of skills of any city in the north, the development would drive quality jobs for this highly skilled workforce in York, but also for the region with opportunities for significant inward investment.

"Enterprise Zone status is pivotal to unlocking this, and as such, as a Council, we are giving our strongest backing to it."

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