Regeneration the focus as Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor visits Tees Valley

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Paul Bristow was in the Tees Valley this week after an invitation by its Mayor Ben Houchen to see how a Mayoral Development Corporation is being used to drive regeneration, investment and jobs. 

The Mayors toured the South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) site in Redcar where the former steelworks is being transformed into one of the UK's largest regeneration projects. 

During the visit, the two mayors discussed how development corporations can unlock investment, attract businesses and deliver large-scale regeneration through strong local partnerships.  

Paul Bristow has proposed a new Mayoral Development Corporation to support regeneration in Peterborough. The proposal already has backing from Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes and Peterborough City Council leader Cllr Shabina Qayyum. 

Development corporations are organisations set up to regenerate major brownfield sites and urban areas. They can assemble land, deliver infrastructure and provide the long-term focus needed to accelerate regeneration.  

Peterborough has used this model before. From 1968 to 1998 a Development Corporation helped shape the city as it is today.   

The Combined Authority's Local Growth Plan, which contains a Mayoral ambition to triple the size of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough economy, includes a focus on investment in Peterborough in transport, housing, business space and supporting key sectors including advanced manufacturing, agri-tech and energy to foster growth.    

Paul Bristow said: “Peterborough has huge potential, and a mayoral development corporation is the tool to unlock regeneration at scale and at pace. 

“My ambition is to create the fastest growing economy in the UK outside London, and a development corporation can help bring together land, infrastructure and investment to deliver new homes, jobs and opportunity for Peterborough. 

“It was good to discuss this with Ben Houchen as we both focus on accelerating growth and investment in our regions.” 

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “The transformation of the former Redcar steelworks site is bringing new industry to Teesside and is delivering the jobs and opportunities local people expect and deserve to see. 

“It was great to welcome Paul to Teesside to show him first-hand what can be achieved when you have the right powers and tools to get things moving.  

“We've taken on the biggest regeneration challenge in our region to unlock land, attract investors and deliver new opportunities for people across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool." 

Earlier this year Paul also visited the London Olympic Park, where a development corporation was established to create a thriving new place in the city to live, work and visit.  

Government is also currently consulting on a proposed development corporation for Greater Cambridge to unlock housing, upgrade transport and grow the economy.