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7 October 2005
English Partnerships, the national regeneration agency, has selected Countryside Properties as one of a panel of developers to bring brownfield land back into productive use. The pilot programme which involves 14 local authorities across England, is a joint initiative led by English Partnerships and the ODPM (Office of Deputy Prime Minister) as part of the National Brownfield Strategy which aims to bring England's 64,000 ha (158,000 acres) of brownfield land back into productive use.
Professor Paul Syms, National Brownfield Strategy Director for English Partnerships, says, "We have had an excellent response from developers who have shown a strong commitment to being part of this programme. These developers will now play a major role in helping local authorities and local people transform some of the country's worst eyesores. We expect the pilot programme to provide a focus for the long-term effective re-use of the country's brownfield 'legacy'."
Barry Holmes, Urban Regeneration Director for Countryside Properties comments, "We are delighted to be part of English Partnership's panel and look forward to working with them and the local authorities to redevelop these sites that are blighting local communities. We have the skills and experience to ensure that they become inclusive, sustainable communities where people will really want to live."
The local authorities involved are Barrow-in-Furness, Barking & Dagenham, Bradford, Bristol, Dudley, Easington, Ipswich, Kerrier (Cornwall), Manchester, Mansfield, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Tower Hamlets.
The pilot areas have been selected as they represent a mix of urban and rural examples with varied histories and reasons for dereliction. They also include authorities with different urban initiatives already in place such as URCs, enterprise zones, housing market renewal pathfinders or are within a growth area.
The developers, including Countryside Properties' Northern division, will work alongside English Partnerships, the local authorities, communities and businesses, as part of local brownfield partnerships. These partnerships will work to identify and assess sites and then draw up plans to reclaim one or more of the sites in each pilot area. Final uses will range from housing through to the creation of natural open spaces.
Paul Syms explains further, "We will identify the barriers and solutions to reclaiming derelict land and develop ways that it can be successfully regenerated while taking account of local community wishes."
In exchange for their input and expertise, panel members will be able to put forward development ideas for brownfield sites within each pilot area, bringing them forward for redevelopment in line with agreed plans.
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Information correct as at 07/10/2005