Benefits to occupiers
Dudley has a significantly higher proportion of the work force engaged in manufacturing, with 14.8% of the borough’s employment being in manufacturing compared to a national average of only 8.5%
The EZ builds on this long held historic manufacturing advantage and will focus the existing vacant office to house the technical knowhow and central office function for the region. Advanced manufacturing strengths include material manufacturing in iron, steel, plastic and rubber along with instrumentation, process control and technical equipment.
Business and professional services include architectural and engineering activities, software development, legal, banking and telecoms. The EZ Links with engineering and construction technology centres of excellence including Dudley College, Stourbridge Birmingham Metropolitan College, Very Light Rail Innovation Centre (VLRIC) and wider regional links to Manchester Metropolitan University, Birmingham University and Wolverhampton University.
The local development order (LDO) has been adopted in the Blackbrook Valley area of the DY5 enterprise zone. With DY5 EZ incentives and a simplified planning process through the LDO, the Blackbrook Valley has the opportunity to expand into a new High Value Manufacturing Hub, facilitated by the proposed new Midland Metro line. It is envisaged that this package of measures will bring significant benefits to the area, including employment opportunities.
Find out more about the LDO.
The investment sites include
- 18,000m2 of available vacant office in the Waterfront area of Brierley Hill in an attractive location in the borough
- 12Ha of developable land for office
- 24Ha of industrial land
- Easy access via a new Metro link by 2023
The Enterprise Zone offers a variety of locations that cater for businesses looking for both industrial and manufacturing space as well as office accommodation.
The Enterprise Zone
The map below, indicates the type of accommodation on offer within the enterprise zone.