18/03/2016

Review of Enterprise Areas in Scotland - Summary report

This review was commissioned to assess: the effects on companies of locating within Scotland’s Enterprise Areas (EAs); the benefits to agency stakeholders of having designated EAs to promote to businesses; and the impact of EA incentives in influencing company investment decisions.

The purpose of Enterprise Area designation was to create a business environment to support employment, investment and growth. Incentives and support available to companies within Scotland’s EAs include:

• Business rates discounts or enhanced capital allowances.
• A streamlined planning approach.
• High speed broadband connections.
• Skills, training and other support.

The Scottish Government designated 14 sites with EA status in April 2012, augmented by one further site in West Lothian in March 2013.1 These sites are grouped into four clusters:

• Life Sciences - BioCampus Midlothian, BioQuarter Edinburgh, Forres Enterprise Park, Inverness Campus, and Irvine.
• Low Carbon / Renewables North - Arnish Isle of Lewis, Hatston Orkney, Lyness Orkney, Nigg Cromarty Firth, and Scrabster Caithness.
• Low Carbon / Renewables East - Ports of Dundee and Leith.
• General Manufacturing / Growth Sectors - Creative Clyde Glasgow, Prestwick International Aerospace Park, and West Lothian, including plots in Broxburn and Livingston.