Thurrock is a key location for growth in the Thames Gateway. However, it has a wide range of complex land use and land assembly problems, which currently constrain housing and economic growth. In addition, some communities within the borough (Tilbury, Chadwell St Mary, West Thurrock, Purfleet, South Ockendon and Aveley) experience some of the most acute levels of multiple deprivation in South Essex. A more direct and creative approach to regeneration is considered necessary in order to catalyse change in the area.

Recently, some community regeneration initiatives have taken place targeting specific and small areas. These have had some success but have a limited remit and therefore aspiration. In July 2003, the Thurrock Urban Development Corporation was formed with the opportunity to effect a more holistic approach to regeneration and to attract a wider investment into the area.

Definition of a UDC

A UDC is a non-departmental public body whose objective is to promote regeneration in a particular area.

This is achieved by:

• 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.
• 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.

In addition, the Thurrock UDC will be invested with planning powers that are restricted to strategic applications. The main groups directly affected by this would be large developers and businesses that would typically utilise strategic sites, the local authority who would be giving up planning powers, and the local community. However, the rights of the local community and other stakeholders to participate in the planning process are not affected. The UDC is required to follow all the normal consultation procedures of the local authority planning process.

The UDC is run by a Board appointed by, and answerable to, the Deputy of State. The main source of finance comes in grant-aid from central Government, supplemented by European Regional Development Funds and receipts from the sale of land and capital assets.

How the UDC will work in Thurrock

The UDC has an initial 7-year timescale. Running costs of the UDC are estimated to be around £2m a year with an overall budget of over £60 million. The UDC intend to begin their masterplanning process later in 2004.

The London area of the Thames Gateway will also have a UDC covering three areas of the Lower Lea Valley, Thamesmead, Belvedere and Erith, and Barking/Havering Riverside. The Thurrock UDC will therefore border the London Thames Gateway UDC on its western edge and will have to liaise closely with it.

Regeneration aims for Thurrock:

• Focal point for arts, culture, heritage, recreation (attracting tourism, employment and education)
• Flagship environmental and ecological community
• High value and sustainable logistics hub underpinned by multimodal transport network
• World port
• Exemplar for community regeneration, learning, development and enterprise
• Centre of excellence for technology, research & development
• Housing development using the riverside