0
On 11 February 2020, Inspector Philip Ware opened a three-week public inquiry into the South Tees Development Corporation (Land at the former Redcar Steel Works, Redcar) Compulsory Purchase Order 2019 (“the Order”). The Order was made on 10 April 2019 under s. 207 of the Localism Act 2011 by the South Tees Development Corporation (“STDC”), the first Mayoral Development Corporation established outside of London. STDC’s objective is to secure the regeneration of an area covering approximately 4,500 acres to the south of the River Tees in the Borough of Redcar and Cleveland. The area has historically been the home to heavy industry, primarily iron and steel making, the port and logistics handling, and chemicals. In October 2015, the iron and steel making came to an end with the liquidation of the landowner SSI, forcing the closures of the Redcar iron and coke-making complex and the Lackenby steel-making plant. This marked the end of nearly 170 years of iron and steelmaking in the locality and the loss of some 2,000 jobs directly, 1,000 contractors, and a further 1,000 jobs indirectly. STDC was established in August 2017 to address the recognised need for regeneration. The Order, covering 1,752 acres, is necessary for the assembly of land to facilitate comprehensive regeneration led by STDC, pursuant to a Master Plan that has been developed since mid-2017. The realisation of the Master Plan is expected to deliver 20,000 new jobs and a world-class industrial business park. STDC is backed by significant central government funding, and the scheme is expected to generate an income of nearly £2 billion up to 2050. Press coverage concerning the inquiry is available here. David Elvin QC and Matthew Fraser, instructed by Toni Weston at Gowling WLG, are acting for STDC, the acquiring authority.
