Plans unveiled for £500m regeneration of Purfleet

Communities Secretary John Denham has unveiled plans for a £500m scheme to regenerate the heart of Purfleet, Essex in the Thames Gateway.

The scheme could see the creation of a new town centre thanks to investment from a joint public/private sector partnership. The project would involve the construction of nearly 3,000 new gomes and over 1,000 jobs.

Meanwhile a competition to find a partner for the intended joint venture with Thurrock Development Corporation has been launched.

If apprived the scheme will see 48 hectares of contaminated and derelict brownfield land brought back into use.

Thurrock Development Corporation will now invite expressions of interest in becoming a development partner before formal tenders at the turn of the year.

Denham said: “This scheme would provide local people in Purfleet with the community facilities they’ve long wanted and the homes they need. The benefits of the redevelopment would go way beyond Purfleet and provide a real boost to the Thames Gateway.

“Now it’s for the private sector to come forward to show what can be done. I’m confident we’ll get some innovative bids from developers. We’ll be looking for high quality proposals that are affordable and deliver value for money for the taxpayer.

“Each year Government invests £3bn in the Gateway in transport, schools, skills, businesses, health and more, an investment that is unmatched elsewhere.  Our commitment to the Gateway is unwavering as we know it will play a crucial role within the UK economy driving growth across the South East and beyond.

“But this regeneration can never be just about new buildings and infrastructure.  It has to be about residents and communities and ensuring they are the main beneficiaries of these new opportunities.”