Video: Sandwich announced
as enterprise zone

The former Pfizer site has been declared an enterprise zone -
and the area's to be given a £25m injection for flood defences.

Business leaders and politicians in Sandwich have
heard officially today that the area's been successful in
its enterprise zone bid.

MP for South Thanet Laura Sandys is among those meeting at the
Guildhall in Sandwich this morning to hear the bid to
government has been successful.

See our
special report on Pfizer's closure

The rescue bid for the Pfizer site at Sandwich was given an
extra push in July. It is hoped designating the area as an
enterprise zone would help revive jobs.

The area of east Kent, known as Discovery Park, is one of 13
zones granted the special status, which affords faster internet
speeds, fewer planning restrictions and other opportunities.

An earlier bid for zone status was rejected by the
government.

"never has there been a more important time to unleash the potential of our towns and cities as engines for growth."
- greg clark

But it was also
announced the government is going to give £25m for flood defences
in the area, to protect the site and surrounding homes.

The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for Kent, Medway, Essex
and East Sussex filed the new bid, giving it preference over a
proposed zone in Harlow, Essex.

An enterprise zone has the potential to attract 190 new
companies and create 2,500 jobs.

The Enterprise Zone package for Discovery Park will encourage
new start-up businesses and other investors with simplified
planning rules and millions of pounds in tax breaks to promote
growth.

Chancellor George Osborne joined guests at the Pfizer site, and
said it had “magnificent” facilities.

He said: “I know how bleak it seemed a few months ago. I hope we
can begin to see the rays of a brighter future.”

Added to this is the investment to strengthen flood
defences for Sandwich town and Discovery Park.

The works, scheduled to finish in 2015, will increase the
protection for the area to a one in 200 or 0.05% chance of flooding
in any one year, securing a sustainable future for the area and for
the Town.

Audio: Minister David
Willetts explains what an enterprise zone means to reporter Jess
Banham

The scheme will increase the protection for 488 households, the
new Discovery Park site, valuable infrastructure, including the
main coastal access routes, and key tourist and employment
areas.

The scheme is estimated to cost £25 million and will be funded
by contributions from the Environment Agency, Kent County Council,
and Pfizer as current owners of the Discovery Park site.

George Osborne ,
Chancellor ,visits Pfizer in Sandwich. Pictured from left Charlie
Elphicke, George Osborne and Laura Sandys

Reaction to today's
announcement

Universities and Science Minister David
Willetts said:

"The new Enterprise Zone will provide a significant economic
boost to the South East, creating jobs and helping many new
businesses to start up and grow. This is great opportunity for new
businesses locating in the area to take advantage of tax breaks and
super-fast broadband.

"I also warmly welcome the decision by Kent County Council and
Pfizer to work with the Environment Agency to safeguard the future
of the Sandwich town and the Enterprise Zone area from
flooding.

"Together, these announcements are a great achievement by the
Sandwich Economic Task Force.

"The
Government is keen to make use of the specialist skills in the
area, and to maintain a life sciences hub in East Kent. This scheme
will provide security to thousands of households and unlock another
major economic opportunity."

Communities and Local Government Minister Greg
Clark, with responsibility for Enterprise Zones, said:
"Never has there been a more important time to unleash the
potential of our towns and cities as engines for growth.

"The decision to award East Kent its enterprise zone status
shows how much promise it has to deliver much needed new jobs and
homes.

"The people of Kent, its local businesses and civic leaders are
ready to take up the reins of the local economy, with the Discovery
Park at the centre of their plan to accelerate growth."

Flooding minster Richard Benyon said: "This
example at Sandwich shows that we can provide flood protection to
many more households and businesses when private and public funding
comes together.

"I'm delighted that Government, the Environment Agency and local
people working with Pfizer have managed to secure flood protection
for hundreds of homes and an important site for the local economy
as well as for the historic town."

Paul Carter, Leader of Kent County Council and
Chair of the Sandwich Economic Task Force said: "Securing an
enterprise zone and sorting out the flood defences to secure the
site are massively important in enabling inward investment and job
creation to take place.

"Not only have we been able to negotiate flood protection for
the Sandwich site, but also for the residents and businesses of
Sandwich town.

"This is really good news for Sandwich and East Kent and I am
extremely grateful to the Environment Agency, BIS, DEFRA, Pfizer
and KCC for sitting round the table and brokering a solution.

"We can now really move forward negotiations with a number of
potential investors to ensure that Sandwich delivers new jobs and
opportunities as one of the new generation of Enterprise
Zones."

Laura Sandys, MP for South Thanet, said:
"Today, the Government 's very positive response to to our calls
for support marks an important and significant step in regenerating
the East Kent Economy.

"This is the first Government that has recognised that the South
East has areas of deprivation which demand national attention but
also, and more importantly, it is a vote of confidence from
Government that East Kent is an area with significant economic
potential.

"Having secured both enterprise zone status and a scheme that
will significantly improve flood defences, east Kent can move
forward, diversifying its economy, attracting new businesses, and
creating new jobs.

"I am thrilled that the community has been given the tools by
Government to regenerate and start building a new economic
future."

Pfizer Sandwich site head Dr Annette Doherty
said: "We are delighted about today's announcement of Enterprise
Zone status for Discovery Park, and we hope the benefits will help
facilitate the marketing of the campus to new occupiers,
particularly smaller businesses, where costs are most keenly
felt.

"This, along with Pfizer's announcement in June that we're
retaining a pharmaceutical sciences presence on the site, will give
a great boost for the future of Discovery Park.

"We were pleased to be able to work with the Environment Agency
and Kent County Council to contribute to a flood defence scheme for
Sandwich Town that included Discovery Park."

Locate in Kent chief executive
Paul Wookey said: "This is really good news. We
welcome the Government’s recognition of the challenges and
opportunities facing the East Kent economy.

"Granting Enterprise Zone status to
the site will help underpin the long-term future of East Kent by
giving businesses further reason, as well as the county’s proximity
to London and the continent, skilled workforce and high quality of
life, to relocate to the area.

"The new Enterprise Zone will give
firms of all sizes, from start-ups to established companies, the
business and financial support they need to deliver growth and job
creation."