West of England Combined Authority says move would establish ‘direction of travel’ toward creating development corporation for Brabazon new town
The chancellor and the housing secretary have backed plans to create a mayoral development zone (MDZ) to cover an emerging new town in the West of England.
Helen Godwin, mayor of the region, wants to use new devolved powers to establish an MDZ around Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc, in South Gloucestershire and north Bristol.
MDZs are non-statutory designations which are meant to focus efforts on a priority regeneration area with substantial growth potential, providing oversight and direction for development in an effort to leverage investment.
According to the combined authority, creating an MDZ would establish a “direction of travel” towards establishing a statutory mayoral development corporation for the Brabazon and West Innovation Arc new town.
Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc is one of the seven ‘new town’ schemes identified by the government as priorities in March this year.
The government believes that up to 40,000 homes could be built in the area, which is already home to a growing economy of advanced engineering firms.
Most of the site is brownfield, but according to the government realising its full potential would require “investment in transport to drive a suitable public transport mode share to relieve (and ameliorate future) pressures on the already constrained road network”.
Speaking last week, Rachel Reeves, chancellor of the exchequer, said that the West of England had long “been denied investment and had its potential held back” and said she was “backing a new Mayoral Development Zone” to give the region “an ambitious vision for the future”.
Housing secretary Steve Reed added that the MDZ would “make a huge difference to people’s lives”, claiming it would mean “thousands more affordable homes, well-paid jobs and greater transport links between communities.”
Nearly £1bn has already been invested in Brabazon as part of a planned transformation of the former Filton Airfield, where YTL UK Group, a Malaysian infrastructure conglomerate, has secured planning permission for 6,500 new homes, three new schools and a major park.
Last week, YTL unveiled a new strategic partnership with housing association Bromford Flagship LiveWest.
Brabazon is also set to benefit from a new £50m railway set to open this autumn, strengthening its links to central Bristol and Bath.
“Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc is already the fastest-growing part of the country’s fastest-growing regional economy, something we’ve been showcasing this week with investors,” said Godwin, referring to her efforts to attract investment at last week’s UKREIIF conference.
“We have so much to be proud of across the area shortlisted to become one of the government’s new towns, with our new Bristol Brabazon train station opening later this year ahead of the new Aviva Arena.
“Working together, this part of the West of England - with the right transport investment to connect the Science Park, Bristol Parkway station, and Brabazon - can deliver 40,000 new homes and the same number of new jobs over the longer-term.”
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