Ten new Enterprise Zone sites across East Anglia will go “live” today as plans to create thousands of new jobs take another step forward.

The new zone, with the theme “Space to Innovate”, was announced by Chancellor George Osborne last November following a pitch by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnershp (LEP) and local authority partners in Suffolk and Norfolk.

Benefits to businesses which move on to the sites include business rate discounts, simplified planning rules and access to Superfast broadband, with the aim being to create 18,500 new jobs over the 25-year lifetime of the zone, including 5,000 by 2021.

The zone is being officially launched today at the King’s Lynn Innovation Centre (KLIC), built for enterprise agency Nwes on the Nar Ouse Business Park in King’s Lynn, which is the first new building to be completed anywhere within the new zone.

Six of the 10 sites are in Suffolk, including four in and around Ipswich, one in Stowmarket and one in Bury St Edmunds, with three other sites in Norfolk, in Norwich, Coltishall and Wells-Next-The-Sea, completing the zone.

Mark Pendlington, chairman of New Anglia LEP, said the locations of the 10 sites, notably along the A14 corridor, would be “a magnet for inward investment”.

“Suffolk and Norfolk is already home to a thriving Enterprise Zone in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft at the heart of our all-energy coastline,” he said.

“Today we can extend that success, to 10 new sites, giving businesses locally, nationally and internationally the tools to begin a new venture or move their ideas forward and help create even greater momentum, wealth and success.”

John Balch, Nwes strategic director, added: said: “Nwes is proud to host the launch of the Enterprise Zone at the King’s Lynn Innovation Centre.

“This will be the stage for start-ups, entrepreneurs and growing companies to forge links, strengthen relationships and build a solid foundation for local economic growth.”