125.The Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 (‘the 1980 Act’) introduced powers to establish ‘enterprise zones’ to see how the relaxation of planning control, exemption from non-domestic rates and certain other fiscal incentives could help with the regeneration of run-down and derelict urban areas. In the following decades, some 35 orders were made, between them designating just over 100 zones. Of those, four orders designated 15 zones in Wales(3).
126.Paragraph 4 of this Schedule to the Act amends Schedule 32 to the 1980 Act to disapply these provisions in relation to Wales. This has the effect of removing the Welsh Ministers’ power to designate enterprise zones. The Act also makes consequential amendments to the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 and Mobile Homes (Wales) Act 2013.
127.A second type of enterprise zone was subsequently provided for in the Capital Allowances Act 2001, as amended by the Finance Act 2012; these aim to encourage economic growth and investment. There are currently eight enterprise zones operational in Wales, each specialising in a specific business sector. The Act does not affect this second type of enterprise zone.
Commentary on Sections Part 3 – Repeals of Welsh Legislation Part 2 – Enterprise zone areas