Member Article

Middlesbrough Council applies for CPO on next phase of multi-million pound Middlehaven site

The development of one of Teesside’s key regeneration sites is set to take a major step forward with the acquisition of remaining land and properties.

Middlesbrough Council is applying for a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to pave the way for the next phase of urban renewal at Middlehaven.

The 100-hectare site has attracted more than £150 million in investment to date through the development of the striking Middlesbrough College campus, new office space, homes, leisure facilities, bars and restaurants.

Further investment of more than £60 million is already the pipeline including Middlesbrough College’s Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) centre, Boho Five, a new Urban Park, a major renovation and refurbishment project at the Transporter Bridge and a major new supermarket development.

The redevelopment of Middlehaven is a long-term project, which is being delivered by Middlesbrough Council and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the site has already seen the creation of around 1,500 jobs.

The Council, in partnership with the HCA, has already acquired and cleared the vast majority of the site as part of one of the region’s flagship regeneration schemes.

Now to complete the next phase of the regeneration of Middlehaven the Council is looking to acquire the remaining land, five residential properties and four commercial premises.

The vast majority of the area consisted of former docks and associated industry, and also included the St Hilda’s area, which had suffered a long period of decline.

The area fell victim to housing market failure, resulting in numerous problems including high numbers of empty properties, low house prices, low demand and difficulty in letting dwellings.

The decline could not be reversed, and in 2004 the decision was taken to clear the area, with existing residents offered assistance to relocate.

To date more than 180 households have been voluntarily relocated, with just five left to purchase.

Home owners have been offered market value for their properties along with relocation costs and incentives and every effort will be taken to assist them as part of the process.

Alongside residential purchases, more than 40 largely redundant and semi-derelict commercial buildings have been acquired, with only four remaining. The acquired buildings have largely been demolished with the sites being brought forward for redevelopment.

This has been achieved through negotiation with existing landlords and owners, but Compulsory Purchase powers must now be employed to ensure the regeneration of the area can be realised within a realistic timescale.

Efforts will continue to be made to acquire those properties by mutual agreement.

If the Order is confirmed by the Secretary of State (DCLG), and dependent on any objections and a possible public inquiry, it is envisaged that ownership of the remaining properties is likely to pass to the Council in late summer/autumn 2015.

Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “Middlehaven is a hugely important part of Middlesbrough’s history and heritage, and is central to the town’s on-going regeneration.

“Recent years have seen investment of over £150m in Middlehaven, including the re-location of Middlesbrough College, the installation of Temenos and the development of new homes and 21st Century office space.

“Middlehaven is changing the face of Middlesbrough, and is already playing a major role in the town’s economic success.

“That’s why it is essential that we continue to take a pro-active approach to its redevelopment as a mixed-use site which will enhance the physical, social and environmental fabric of the town as a whole.

“For that to succeed we must complete the acquisition programme, which will free up a number of sites and give developers the assurance they need to take Middlehaven on to the next exciting phase in its evolution.”

A copy of the Order, Plans and Statement of Reasons will be available at the Civic Centre during normal office hours and also on the Council’s website at http://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2140.

Anyone wishing to oppose the CPO must lodge their objection by Monday, September 1, 2014. All representations must be made in writing and sent directly to the Secretary of State.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .