Background
Thurrock Thames Gateway Development
Corporation opened for business in 2005 to drive economic
growth in Thurrock, create homes, jobs and opportunities and make
Thurrock a place where people want to live and
work.
Development Corporations are public sector bodies that report to
the Communities and Local Government department and work with other
public sector organisations, including the Homes and Communities
Agency (HCA).
Our primary goal is to encourage economic growth; bring in new
businesses and jobs and provide new housing. We are also here to
make Thurrock a better place to live, with good quality facilities
and green spaces. We do this by planning for the long term, guiding
public and private investment into quality projects which are good
for the local economy and the environment.
The Corporation has a number of objectives and
powers to achieve this goal. The statutory objectives and powers of
the Corporation are set out in section 136 of the Local Government,
Planning and Land Act 1980.
The Corporation’s broad statutory objective is
to secure the regeneration of its area, through:
- Bringing land and buildings into effective use
- Encouraging the development of existing and new industry and
commerce
- Creating an attractive environment
- Ensuring that housing and social facilities are available to
encourage people to live and work in the area.
We were set up with a corporate structure and an independent
Board of Directors. This means we are able to take action and make
things happen in a way that other public bodies often cannot.
Now that our overall plans for Thurrock are in place, we help
achieve change in four key ways:
Planning: We approve plans for new developments in Thurrock. Our
vision and support help developers take projects forward. We also
draw up our own plans for key projects and take these forward with
partners and developers.
Buying land: We assemble, buy and prepare land to make it fit
for development. Our overview of the whole Borough means we can
assemble large, coherent and quality sites in a way that makes
sense for the long term (sometimes by relocating existing
businesses), in a way no single developer can. We also invest in
preparing the land ready for developers to build on.
Partnering: We bring in developers and partners, or work with
them on projects. We actively market Thurrock sites, bringing
together partnerships and structures that make it possible for
private sector developers to work with local public bodies
effectively.
Funding: We give grants or provide funding. With a current
Capital Programme running at £30 million per annum during the
current Corporate Plan (2009-11), we can help get projects off the
ground and allow worthwhile local initiatives, as well as
purchasing land or buildings. We are able to share risk and returns
with private sector developers to ensure vital projects happen.