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.
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 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.”
