Tees Valley granted new development powers

Aerial of part of the South Tees site Credit: TVCA

Tees Valley Combined Authority has become the first authority outside of London empowered to create Mayoral Development Corporations.

In the Tees Valley Devolution Deal, it was agreed that the region should be able to create the locally-accountable body.

Its new powers include the responsibility for infrastructure, to attract new businesses, and to coordinate land ownership; including through compulsory purchase powers.

A consultation concluded last Friday to create a South Tees Development Corporation, to drive forward the opportunities arising from of a 4,300 acres area, which includes the site of the former SSI steelworks in Redcar.