An £11.6bn blueprint for the regeneration of Thames Gateway was unveiled this week by regeneration minister Lord Falconer and the Thames Gateway Kent Partnership (TGKP).
The Area Investment Framework Report, drawn up by the public/private partnership, details the level of public and private sector investment needed over the next 20 years to create “up to 100,000 new job opportunities and 50,000 homes on London’s doorstep”.
Falconer said: “As chairman of the Strategic Partnership, I am very optimistic for the future of both north Kent and the Gateway as a whole.
“The Government is committed to the regeneration of the Gateway as a priority. Together, we will create a new community building a bridge between London, the South East and Europe. To do this, we must rapidly proceed with the identification of critical actions.”
Marc Hume, TGKP chief executive, said: “The report estimates that the projects identified could deliver 2.5m sq m of commercial floorspace, 80,000-100,000 new jobs, and 40,000-50,000 new quality homes across Thames Gateway Kent.”
The report estimates that the 20-year programme of public and private sector investment would require £7.2bn funded by the private sector and some £4.4bn from the public sector.
Land Securities is the main private sector partner.
EGi News 23/04/02
