PLANS to develop a major ‘enterprise zone’ across Brierley Hill has taken a step closer after being lodged with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Dudley Council hope the business and innovation project will bring 7,000 new jobs to the area as well as injecting an additional £589 million into the regional economy.

The development plans, incorporating the anticipated Midlands Metro expansion, feature revived Waterfront office complex at Merry Hill, additional office, technology and industrial space in Brierley Hill and Pensnett.

There are also plans for new metro stops at New Road, Cinder Bank, Pedmore Road, Canal Street, Waterfront, Merry Hill and Brierley Hill Terminus.

Council bosses, along with its partners at the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, have now submitted the final business case and anticipate the plans being formalised in the new chancellor Philip Hammond’s autumn statement in November.

Mike Wood MP for Dudley South praised the development. He said: “It’s fantastic news that the new enterprise zone, which will bring thousands of new high-quality jobs to Dudley South, is moving a step closer and is on course to welcome its first businesses next year.

“Persuading the chancellor to approve the revised bid for an enterprise zone was the highlight of my first year as Member of Parliament for Dudley South and the new investment will transform the area.”

The enterprise zone, which is going under the strapline of ‘Made in the Black Country, sold around the world’, is aiming to become the high tech office hub of the Black Country’s manufacturing core.

Councillor Pete Lowe, leader of Dudley Council, said: “This is extremely exciting news for the Brierley Hill and the wider area.

“The enterprise zone will reinvigorate the existing Waterfront office complex with 100 per cent business rate discount for six years and it will also look to double the total office accommodation on offer through new builds as well as including currently vacant industrial sites to maximise the benefits on offer.”