‘It’s the right time’ – Derby backs government agency deal
Derby City Council has hailed a key partnership working agreement for the East Midlands, a week after plans to “supercharge” delivery of new homes were unveiled by Homes England.
The government’s housing and regeneration agency signed a strategic place partnership with the East Midlands combined authority at the beginning of December, which it says will enable greater collaboration on large regeneration projects in the region.
The move, which came prior to the agency launching its five-year strategy last week, has been welcomed by Derby’s local authority, which says the agreement is well timed due to the number of high profile schemes currently under way in the city, including the Derbion-backed Eagle Market regeneration project, approved last week.
The authority says the move is good news for its plans to regenerate an area near the city’s main railway station, a scheme known as “Station Quarter”, which it wants to redevelop as a large residential-led scheme. The project is also set to be boosted by planned government changes to national planning regulations which favour developments near major railway hubs, which were launched this week.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy said the strategic partnership agreement between Homes England and EMCCA comes at the “right time” for Derby.
“I was delighted to welcome Homes England to Derby for a tour of the city. We are already reshaping key parts of the city through Castleward, the Station Quarter and more,” she said.
“This new partnership agreement gives us greater confidence that we can unlock the next stages of our regeneration ambitions. By working closely with partners, we can bring forward new homes, support economic growth and continue to build a city that is sustainable and ready for the future.”
