Bold new mayoral development zone to aid regeneration

NORTH East leaders have agreed hold new plans that could turbocharge regeneration on both sides of the River Tyne.

- JAMES ROBINSON Local Democracy Reporter

Cabinet members on the North East Combined Authority agreed to create a new mayoral development zone it is hoped will speed up projects in Gateshead and Newcastle.

It is hoped the move will help bring in millions into the local community, create thousands of jobs and build large-scale new housing developments.

Significant projects include the stalled plan to bring a new conference centre and arena to Gateshead Quayside and plans for 2,500 new homes at Newcastle's Forth Yards.

Mayoral development corporations (MDCs) are statutory bodies which can be set up by metro mayors in England to drive regeneration.

‘The exact scope of Newcastle and Gateshead’s MDC remains unknown, but elsewhere in the country - such as in the Tees Valley and in Stockport - they provide funding alongside other powers.

‘These powers can include making compulsory purchases of land, taking over planning decisions from local councils and granting relief from business rates.

Speaking at Tuesday's meeting of the combined authority's cabinet, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness hailed the development zone as one of the “boldest” projects undertaken by any mayoral authority in the country.