News Release : 23 August 2004

MAXIMISING THAMES GATEWAY’S POTENTIAL

A joint vision to maximise the potential of Thames Gateway is published today by the three Regional Planning Bodies. The Interregional Planning Statement provides a collective framework until individual regional plans are published.

The Statement develops the concepts in the Government’s Sustainable Communities Plan and sets out a planning framework to establish the Gateway as a place with a clear identity, composed of sustainable urban communities in a high quality environment. It is strengthened by strategies for regeneration and growth. The Statement is welcomed by the Advisory Forum on Regional Planning for London, the South East and the East of England.

Keith Hill MP, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, said: “I very much welcome the production of this Statement, and the successful joint working by the three regional planning bodies that it demonstrates. The Statement is important as an expression of collective intent by the three regions and of an evident commitment to further joint working. For our part, we take the regions’ central point about timely infrastructure provision very seriously and we are working across Government to help drive the agenda forward. Formal proposals will in due course need to be tested through the regional planning processes, but I look forward to working with the three regions to monitor progress and help ensure effective growth and regeneration in the Thames Gateway.”

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said: “I launched the London Plan in February this year, which includes full commitment to further development of the Gateway. Together with East London, we are dedicated to turn this into a vibrant and thriving area.”

Councillor Keith Mitchell, Chairman of the Forum and Chairman of the South East England Regional Assembly’s Planning Committee, said: “Thames Gateway is a priority location for growth and offers a unique opportunity to achieve sustainable community development. It can accommodate housing and employment growth up to 2016, if the right infrastructure is put in place.”

Councillor John Reynolds, Chair of the East of England Regional Assembly’s Regional Planning Panel, added: “The Gateway is an important part of our region and has great potential. All regions are aware of the challenges and each participant fully supports the Interregional Planning Statement. Everyone is determined to maximise the economic growth of the Gateway.”

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Notes to editors:

1. The three Regional Planning Bodies are the Greater London Authority (GLA), the East of England Regional Assembly and the South East England Regional Assembly.
2. The Thames Gateway extends along both sides of the river Thames from the London Docklands to Southend and Sheerness. It forms a sub-region with residential and industrial areas in London and two corridors of settlements of varied size and character in South Essex and Kent, set within a rural setting containing important protected open spaces. In 2001, the Gateway contained a population of 1,500,000 and 500,000 jobs.
3. The strategy for the Gateway consolidates its polycentric spatial structure, with strategic clusters of growth and employment, including the Isle of Dogs, Stratford Ebbsfleet, Thurrock, Medway and Southend, together with revitalised towns and communities throughout the Gateway and high quality new settlements, including Greenwich Peninsula, Barking Reach and Eastern Quarry residential areas.
4. Several major developments are underway or at advanced stages of planning, for example Stratford City, Greenwich Peninsula, Woolwich, Barking Reach. Below figures are indicative figures from the period 2001-2016.
   
   Potential net new jobs in the Gateway, 2001-16
   

   London	150,000
   North Kent	40,000
   South Essex	42,000*
   Total for Gateway	232,000

   
   * This figure is likely to increase as a consequence of further work to address the jobs/dwellings in the East of England.
   
   New homes in the Gateway, 2001-16
   

   London	59,000
   North Kent	43,000
   South essex	26,500
   Total for Gateway	128,000

5. Visit the regions’ websites to view the ‘Growth and Regeneration in the Thames Gateway, Interregional Planning Statement by the Thames Gateway Regional Planning Bodies’ (see websites addresses below).
6. The Advisory Forum on Regional Planning for London, the South East and the East of England is made up of members from the South East England Regional Assembly, Greater London Authority (GLA) and the East of England Regional Assembly.
   The role of the Forum is to advise on planning issues, such as the Mayor of London’s newly published ‘London Plan’, Regional Planning Guidance and water resources, which affect London and its neighbouring regions. Together, the three regions represent 20.6 million people.
7. The Mayor, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the ALG represent London at the Advisory Forum. Please see the website for information on www.london.gov.uk

The East of England Regional Assembly

1. The East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) is the designated Voluntary Regional Chamber under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998. The East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) exists to promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of the region through a partnership of elected representatives and appointed representatives from social, economic and environmental interests within the region.
2. EERA is the Regional Planning Body for the East of England, responsible for producing Regional Planning Guidance. Information on the East of England Regional Assembly is available from the EERA website at www.eera.gov.uk

The South East England Regional Assembly

1. The Regional Assembly is the “voluntary regional chamber” for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
2. The Assembly is made up of 111 members including elected councillors nominated by the region’s local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations).
3. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
1. It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
2. The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
3. The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007