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Urban Regeneration Company
In early 2006 the Urban Regeneration Company (URC) for the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft area was officially unveiled as 1st East. The organisation aims to generate economic growth in the brownfield and waterfront areas of the two towns.
Already residents and businesses are helping to regenerate the brownfield and waterfront areas of Great Yarmouth and Gorleston by having their say on the URC's Area Action Plan Preferred Options. Following the end of consultation on the Options in February 2007, 1st East has prepared some responses to frequently asked questions raised by local businesses.
What is an Urban Regeneration Company?
An Urban Regeneration Company is a special kind of company approved by the government to organise the physical regeneration and redevelopment of particular towns or cities.
Who funds and who will run the URC?
The URC is funded by the Regional Development Agency (EEDA) and the four local authorities involved – Norfolk, Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney. It is run by a private sector led board supported by a small staff and a chief executive with a track record of delivering big regeneration projects.
The company has a board of fifteen directors including the chairman, the chief executive, four local authority representatives, an EEDA representative, two community nominees plus six further private sector members.
In addition there is one official observer from the Government.
What will it do?
The role of the URC is to provide confidence, overcome barriers and unlock economic potential. This will be undertaken through a comprehensive regeneration plan providing clear guidance for future public and private investment.
The URC aims to generate economic growth and create jobs by coordinating public and private sector initiatives in the brownfield and waterfront areas of Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
Why do we need it?
The two towns have lost a lot of jobs and have major areas of derelict and under utilised land. Coordinated use of these land assets will attract better housing, offices, leisure activities and these in turn will provide new jobs and a better living space for the two communities.
Where will it operate?
In Great Yarmouth: North Quay, Cobholm, Southtown, South Quay, South Denes and Runham Vauxhall.
In Lowestoft: Lake Lothing, the Fish Dock and Ness Point
It covers around 1,500 acres, mainly of industrial land which can be developed and 16 miles of waterfront prime for regeneration. Not everything in the URC areas needs redeveloping, but a lot does.
Does that mean people outside the URC area lose out?
No, the aim of the URC is to encourage economic activity by creating more jobs and make the run down areas a more attractive place to live and work. That benefits everyone.
How important is this announcement?
There are only 21 URCs in England, mainly in big cities like Liverpool and Sheffield. Getting this status is a major achievement for Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. It has involved a lot of hard work by all four councils and EEDA and it shows that everyone is committed to making the two towns prosperous once more.
What happens next?
The public have their say. The URC is producing a lot of information and ideas about what developments might take place. A public consultation on the Area Action Plan Preferred Options has recently been completed.
Who looks after the community interests?
Two of the Board of fifteen directors were nominated by the Local Strategic Partnership - which represent the diverse groupings of local interest. Four councillors are also members of the Board.
Will we have a say in what the masterplan looks like?
Yes, extensive second stage consultations have taken place in both towns to ensure businesses, organisations and residents have the opportunity to share their visions on the future of the area.
How long will it take for the URC to make a difference?
It usually takes up to a year before the masterplan is finalised, and longer for developments to happen. However, there are already some significant projects in the making, Eastport in Great Yarmouth and an Offshore Renewable Energy Centre in Lowestoft.
Where do I find out more?
For more specific information on 1st East please visit their website at www.1steast.co.uk.
or contact them at
St James’s Centre
Queens Road
Great Yarmouth
Norfolk
NR30 3DG
Tel: 01493 334455
Email: mark.bayley@1steast.co.uk
Other Useful Links
You can also find more general information on urban regeneration companies at the URCs Online website.
The Eastern Daily Press report on the official launch of 1st East can be found here.
