Cheshire LEP submits growth plan

Cheshire & Warrington Enterprise Partnership has submitted its strategic economic plan and growth plan to bid for £124.8m from the government's £2bn Local Growth Fund.

The proposal outlines plans for the accelerated delivery of 3,125 homes and 12,473 jobs across the authority following an investment from the LGF, with the application seeking £48.76m in the first year.

Three major projects will be the focus of investment; the Atlantic Gateway in Cheshire, the Cheshire Science Corridor and the Crewe High Growth City. The Science Corridor intends to link key "centres of excellence" such as Thornton, Daresbury, Birchwood and Alderley Park into the science and research community in Manchester.

The plan emphasises enabling major growth and transformation in the economy of the sub-region and the delivery of new homes and job creation. The programme also has a major focus on enabling transport interventions to unlock economic growth.

Christine Gaskell, chairman of the Cheshire & Warrington Enterprise Partnership, said: "We have been collaborating with partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors to prepare a really persuasive and compelling economic strategy and growth plan for Cheshire and Warrington.

"Our next steps are to go from strategy to delivery. I'm looking forward to working with all stakeholders within the sub-region to maximise growth potential."

The local growth plan will inform how government decides to allocate the £2bn local growth fund between the 39 LEP areas in the country.

For a full copy of Cheshire & Warrington's strategic economic plan visit http://www.871candwep.co.uk/inside-871/downloads