AN AMBITIOUS scheme to bring more than a thousand new jobs to the region was last night handed a major boost by the Government.

The Tees Valley Enterprise Zone is the first in the country to have its bid for fast-track planning rules approved by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.

The move has handed the Tees Valley a head start on rival enterprise zones across the UK which are also bidding to attract inward investment.

The announcement was a significant coup for this regions zone, which goes live on April 1 and aims to support 61 businesses and create almost 1,200 jobs over 12 Tees Valley sites, by the time of the General Election in 2015.

Under the local development orders (LDOs), that Mr Pickles has approved, most planning applications within the zone will no longer need approval from councillors, removing the right of the public to lodge objections. This saves time and money in the development process and is aimed at making the sites more attractive to potential investors.

The Northern Echo understands that securing prior agreement for the LDOs from local authorities and interest groups such as the Environment Agency and Natural England persuaded Mr Pickles to give Tees Valley the go ahead.

Linda Edworthy, Tees Valley Unlimited director of policy and strategy explained: "We proposed six LDOs to support the development of the Enterprise Zone sites at Queens Meadow, Port Estates, Oakesway, Teesside Advanced Manufacturing Park, Kirkleatham Business Park and Darlingtons Central Park."

The LDOs were subject to public consultation before Christmas and the local authorities said they considered all comments received.

Ms Edworthy added: "Tees Valley Unlimited, the local authorities and our key stakeholder partners including the Environment Agency, Natural England, the Health and Safety Executive and the Highways Agency worked incredibly hard to ensure that the plans offered the best possible benefit for the sites while at the same time protecting the surrounding environment and the local community."

The regions political leaders welcomed the announcement.

Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Councils economy and regeneration chief, said: "This is great news for Darlington and shows the Council can respond quickly to create the conditions that will support business development in the digital sector close to the new university and college."

Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Councils development spokesman, said: "A considerable amount of work has been undertaken to pave the way for the enterprise zone which I am confident will attract much-needed investment and provide a major boost to new businesses.

"The LDOs will help to speed up that process, its the kind of support the private sector needs and which will stand Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley in good stead for many years to come."

Councillor George Dunning, Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: "The zone is a crucial part of our ambitions to drive economic growth both in our borough and the wider region, bringing jobs and prosperity, and we are delighted to have reached another milestone on the road to achieving our goals."

Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond said: "We welcome this news and it represents a further boost to the development of enterprise zones sites in Hartlepool and the Tees Valley.

"Enterprise zone status will stimulate long term investment and new jobs for the town. Its a great opportunity to create good quality, sustainable jobs in developing sectors including renewable energy and biotechnology."

The zones also benefit from business rate relief and enhanced capital allowances - which write off the costs of plant and machinery against companies' taxable income.