BUSINESSES in Dudley are hoping for a boost as town chiefs formally back the creation of the Blackbrook Valley Area Local Development Order – cutting red tape for developers.

Part of the DY5 enterprise zone, the scheme will allow eligible businesses to create jobs through a simplified planning procedure and is the latest step in attempts to attract £589 million a year to the local economy.

It is hoped that relaxing planning regulations in the designated area will attract more commercial property developers.

The Blackbrook Valley Area Local Development Order (LDO) has already been passed by the borough’s cabinet earlier this year and has been running since the beginning of April.

The order will cover the existing Blackbrook Valley industrial estate and is set to take advantage of proposed improvements to the Midland Metro which will run through the area.

Councillors on the Development Control Committee meeting on  May 29 will be told the order will avoid unnecessary delays for developers as well as adding more certainty to the planning process, simplify the process and increase the speed of granting planning permission.

Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, speaking of the need for the order last October, said: “Our role as the planning authority is to encourage and support sustainable economic growth.

“We view this proposal as an innovative way of enabling businesses to develop in the area.

“This LDO could bring new jobs to the already established Blackbrook Valley, helping it to play a role in our vision for the economic growth of our borough through the ambitious DY5 Enterprise Zone.”

The DY5 Enterprise Zone is hoped to attract 7,000 jobs to Dudley and is offering developers business rate relief of up to £55,000 for five years.

The Blackbrook Valley Area LDO is scheduled to run for ten years until March 2028.