Deal could create 8,500 jobs

March 3, 2016
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Up to 2,800 homes could be built and 8,500 jobs created thanks to a new deal which will see Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) land in Telford sold, with the receipts generated invested locally and across the wider Marches region.
Telford & Wrekin Council announced (March 3 2016)  it was poised to seal the land deal with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), which formed part of the Marches Growth Deal secured by the Marches LEP from central Government in 2014.
The Government has given its agreement in principle to the deal, which will see up to £44.5m of receipts generated from the sale of HCA land in Telford invested locally. A percentage of these receipts will go to the Marches LEP’s new Marches Investment Fund – which will support growth projects in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.
The Telford Land Deal is thought to be the first deal of its kind nationally and presents a one off opportunity for the council to influence the disposal of the majority of public sector land in the borough.
The deal offers the council the opportunity to take responsibility for the, marketing and disposal of all HCA land holdings in Telford. It will enable the council to work with existing businesses looking to expand and attract new investors offering new jobs for local people.
The 2,800 homes that will be delivered by the deal form part of the 15,500 new homes already planned for the borough through the Telford and Wrekin Local Plan.
Councillor Shaun Davies, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Business, said: “The deal directly supports our drive to support existing business and attract new inward investment and will create thousands of jobs to give a real lift to Telford’s economy.”
Karl Tupling, the Homes and Communities Agency’s Executive Director for the Midlands, said: “The HCA has a strong record of working in partnership with the Council. This will continue through this deal to support Telford in delivering its local priorities, create jobs and bring forward the development of new homes for local people.”
Graham Wynn, Chairman of the Marches LEP, said: “This commitment, part of the Marches Growth Deal negotiated with Government, will see millions of pounds invested into the region over the next decade. It will accelerate the development of job-creating employment sites and the building of thousands of new homes in the Telford area.
“The wider LEP will also benefit from this deal, with a share of the proceeds of land sales going directly to the Marches Investment Fund (MIF) which supports regeneration and infrastructure projects across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.”
Paul Hinkins, Chairman of the Telford Business Board and Deputy Chair of the LEP, added: “I’m delighted to see this deal come to fruition after lengthy negotiations and it is a great example of partnership working in action.
“The deal is a catalyst for growth, not just in Telford, but for the rest of the Marches as well. It means more businesses will want to locate here, with the investment bringing much needed private sector jobs, and the creation of thousands of new homes.”

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The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has now ceased trading and transferred all its functions to Shropshire Council working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Herefordshire Council, in line with the UK Government's plans for devolution.

The Marches LEP was established in 2011 and hands over an impressive legacy from its 13-year life. In that time the LEP invested over £196m in projects across the Marches, securing in excess of £100m of match funding and supported more than 66,000 business interactions.

The schemes supported have made tangible differences to local communities, increasing skills, creating jobs and improving the physical appearance of many towns.

We would like to thank all the LEP Board Members who have given their time freely over the life of the LEP, as well as all the staff who worked for the LEP over the years. We also want to thank our delivery partners, local education providers and local, regional and national stakeholders who helped us achieve so much.

The Marches Growth Hub will continue to support businesses and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Each of the three Local Authorities will also continue to provide direct business support locally. Details of this support will be available through the Marches Growth Hub website and from the Local Authorities directly. Website: www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk | email: enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.

The Marches Careers Hub will continue to be delivered and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Website: www.marchescareershub.co.uk | email: info@marchescareershub.co.uk

For any queries about Getting Building Fund (GBF), Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Marches Investment Fund (MIF) projects supported by the Marches LEP please contact: gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk

For any finance queries please contact: michelle.hodgkiss@shropshire.gov.uk

The solvent liquidation of the Marches LEP is being managed by the Evelyn Partners Limited. For any matter related to this please contact: Camilla.Mulholland@evelyn.com

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