15 January 2010
Thurrock Thames Gateway Development
Corporation will be integrated into the Homes and Communities
Agency (HCA), the UK’s nationwide regeneration agency, Communities
Ministers Shahid Malik and Ian Austin confirmed yesterday (14
January 2010).
The Corporation’s team, which currently
reports into Communities and Local Government, will change its line
of reporting and become part of the Homes and Communities Agency as
of April 2011.
The move will also effectively move the
regeneration team from a fixed life organisation, which was due to
close in 2014, to one with an open ended life span.
The announcement therefore provides a
framework for safeguarding the longer term delivery and legacy
arrangements for major projects including London Gateway, the UK’s
largest capital project, the creation of a new centre for Purfleet,
the Royal Opera House Production Park, Grays Community Hospital and
the expansion of Lakeside retail area.
Staff will continue to operate out of the
Corporation’s existing offices in Thurrock, retaining a local base
in the Borough. This provides the regeneration team at the
Corporation with a strong and secure foundation from which to
continue delivering key projects for the future prosperity of
Thurrock and the Thames Gateway.
The Corporation’s CEO Niall Lindsay commented;
“This announcement secures the regeneration outcomes we have been
working on over the last four years.
“The key message for our private sector
investment partners is that the team at Thurrock remains intact and
continues to operate out of Purfleet and we remain committed to
driving forward the regeneration projects that we have been working
on with them.”
Will McKee, chairman of TTGDC, said; “This
decision recognises the substantial progress we have made and the
need for the continued presence of a dedicated regeneration team
locally in Thurrock.
“Our remit and commitment to the regeneration
remain unchanged and we look forward to continuing our working
partnership with the Council.”
Thurrock Thames Gateway is pleased to attach
the views of local Thurrock organisations and those that work with
us to the Government review of Development Corporations, please
click here to view them.