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Urban Development Corporations
Urban Development Corporations (UDCs) are non-departmental public bodies which were established under the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980. They are limited life bodies tasked with a broad remit to secure the regeneration of their designated areas. Those established using this legislation by the Conservative government of 1979 to 1997 were all wound up by the mid 1990s. (These should not be confused with the new town development corporations from the 1950s-1980s).
In the Sustainable Communities Plan of February 2003, the Government stated that it would seek to establish new mechanisms in the growth areas to drive forward development, specifically mentioning urban development corporations in Thurrock and East London. Since then and following consultation, UDCs have been established in Thurrock Thames Gateway, East London (including a number of local authorities and also covering the potential Olympic Games sites) and West Northamptonshire.
Powers of the UDCs
All UDCs were established under the 1980 Act and the more recently designated bodies therefore have largely the same objectives and powers as the earlier UDCs, namely:
- Bringing land and buildings into effective use
- Encouraging the development of existing and new industry and commerce
- Creating an attractive environment
- Ensuring that housing and social facilities are available to encourage people to live and work in the area
For these purposes, a UDC can:
- acquire, hold, manage, reclaim and dispose of land and other property (including CPO powers - see more in Planning chapter)
- carry out building and other operations
- seek to ensure the provision of water, electricity, gas sewerage and other services
- carry on any business or undertaking for the purposes of regenerating its area
- generally do anything necessary or expedient for this purpose.
UDCs of the 2004-05 vintage have been invested with development control powers for strategic planning applications in support of their objectives/purpose leaving householder and routine applications to the relevant local authority.The UDCs do not have powers in relation to determining the overall level of development or in relation to the location and distribution of development which are matters for the Regional Spatial Strategy and Borough and District Councils Local Development Frameworks.
They have a term set for seven to ten years, with a review after five years and are funded by Central Government (Communities and Local Government (CLG)). They are run by Boards, Members for which are appointed by the Secretary of State (CLG) following advertisements through the media but with guaranteed local authority representation. The Boards are typically 11 people plus a Chair and a Deputy Chair.
There are some important differences between the new and UDCs of the 1980s, following evaluation of the earlier model: the planning powers are not as extensive and the Boards were appointed by, and accountable to, the then Secretary of State for the Environment. A more collaborative approach with local, regional and national stakeholders has also been promoted with the UDC working more closely with such partners, taking advantage of their resources, powers and skills where appropriate.
Milton Keynes Partnership Committee (MKPC)
A similar model is the Milton Keynes Partnership Committee (MLPC) which involves the establishment of an Urban Development Area (UDA) within Milton Keynes following a Statutory Instrument based on the powers granted to the Secretary of State by the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (the founding legislation for English Partnerships as the Urban Regeneration Agency).
The UDA is managed by a body called the MKPC with a wide public, private and community sector representation, including English Partnerships and the local authority. The Committee – a sub-Committee of English Partnerships’ Board - co-ordinates and implements the delivery of future growth in Milton Keynes and plays a key role in ensuring that infrastructure and community facilities are provided to support growth.
Further information can be found on the Milton Keynes Partnership website.
Created on 7 June 2004 the Committee has been granted development control powers to determine major planning applications within the defined UDA. Milton Keynes Council remains as the plan-making authority for the whole of Milton Keynes including the UDA.
Thurrock Thames Gateway UDC
The Thurrock Thames Gateway UDC covers the local authority area of Thurrock Council and was established on 29 October 2003. It has a 2 year Corporate Plan in place and has prepared, with partners, with partners, a borough-wide regeneration framework. As part of the Thames Gateway, Thurrock aims to deliver 18,500 new homes and 26,000 new jobs. Ministers confirmed in May 2007 that its life would be extended to 2014, with funding dependent upon future spending reviews.
Further information can be found on the Thurrock Thames Gateway website.
The London Thames Gateway UDC
The London Thames Gateway UDC (established May 2004) will take forward the strategic regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley and Barking-Havering Riverside with a limited lifespan up to 2014, with a review after 5 years. In all, parts of six London boroughs will benefit:
- Tower Hamlets
- Hackney
- Barking and Dagenham
- Havering
- Newham
- Waltham Forest
The UDC is currently working on its overarching strategy and two year Corporate Plan for these areas along with finalising the regeneration frameworks for the Lower Lea and London Riverside, which include Olympic Games sites.
Further information can be found on the London Thames Gateway Development Corporationwebsite.
West Northamptonshire UDC
West Northamptonshire (Northampton, Daventry and Towcester) is a key area within the Milton Keynes/South Midlands (MKSM) Growth Area and West Northamptonshire UDC was established by Order on 15 December 2004 and work is ongoing on taking forward its development prospectus with a two year corporate plan in place.
Further information can be found on the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation website.
Other delivery vehicles have been proposed for the individual growth locations within the MKSM Growth Area. In North Northamptonshire the urban regeneration company, Catalyst Corby merged with North Northants together to form North Northants Development Company in May 2006 to form a new URC to manage the growth and regeneration planned for Corby, East Northamptonshire, Kettering and Wellingborough.
