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Introduction

We are seeking your views on the creation of a new Mayoral Development Corporation to accelerate regeneration in Middlesbrough.  

In 2017 the South Tees Development Corporation, the first Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) outside of London, was established at the site of the former SSI Steelworks in Redcar. Following the success of this locally led model to accelerate regeneration, secure private investment and create jobs, the Tees Valley Mayor has announced the creation of a new MDC in the centre of Middlesbrough.  

The Middlesbrough MDC provides an unprecedented opportunity to define the place, its purpose, ambition, values and target market. It will give the region the tools to speed up delivery of what we need to build strong foundations, attract private investment, people and businesses, while enhancing the town for residents and visitors. 

Boundaries for the MDC are shown below. The area includes the town centre, Middlehaven and Zetland Historic Quarter. It will tie them together more closely, including crucial assets such as the Boho Zone, Middlesbrough Station, the Northern School of Art, Centre Square and Teesside University. 

This consultation document sets out our proposals for the Tees Valley Mayor to designate the area shown below as the Middlesbrough MDC and seeks your views on our approach.  

At this stage, the consultation focuses on our intention to establish the MDC, the proposed geography and anticipated benefits.  

A full Master Plan for the Development Corporation will be produced in the autumn. This will reflect feedback from the consultation, while providing full details of key activities, outputs and outcomes, including for individual plots of land. 

Consultation responses should be submitted by 12 noon on 4th August. Details of how to submit your response are provided below. 

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “We have funded huge schemes across Middlesbrough but, until now, there has never been a single, all-encompassing plan, to draw these together to supercharge the town. This is about more than just bricks and mortar, though. The Development Corporation will cut red tape meaning we can go further faster. It will reshape the heart of the town, growing it as a place, boost its leisure offer and make the streets safer and cleaner. We want to create a town where young people want to live and study, where people from across the town want to visit and spend time and where businesses will flock to. I’d urge everyone to have their say as we get this truly transformative project off the ground.”

Mayor of Middlesbrough Andy Preston said: “We’ve made amazing progress in transforming Middlesbrough in the past three years. We have thriving companies doing business on the global stage and millions of pounds are being invested in culture to help attract more visitors to town. A Development Corporation will help us win more investment and create jobs of all kinds, allowing Middlesbrough can go head-to-head with popular cities. Now it’s time for local people to start to shape our plans with this consultation.”

What is a Mayoral Development Corporation?

A Mayoral Development Corporation, or MDC, is a statutory body created to accelerate the regeneration of a defined area. It can draw on a wide range of powers to acquire, develop, hold and dispose of land and property, and develop infrastructure. 

Led by the directly elected Tees Valley Mayor, the MDC model can bring about large-scale regeneration that is locally focused, supports community aspirations and avoids unnecessary bureaucracy.   

The objectives of the Corporation are:  

  • To further the economic development and regeneration of the Middlesbrough area, so that it becomes a major contributor to the Tees Valley economy and the delivery of the Tees Valley’s Strategic Economic Plan  
  • To attract private sector investment and secure additional jobs, available for the people of the Tees Valley  
  • To transform and improve the environment of the Corporation area, providing good quality commercial, cultural, leisure and housing facilities for the benefit of the people of Middlesbrough.   

Powers  

The Localism Act 2011 sets out the powers that can be granted to the MDC to enable it to achieve its objectives. They include: 

  • Infrastructure  
  • Regeneration, development of land and other related activities  
  • Acquisition of land by compulsory purchase and overriding third party rights to its land 
  • Adoption of private streets  
  • Carrying on of business by the MDC and its participation in subsidiaries and other companies  
  • Giving of financial assistance  
  • Planning (including powers set out in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) 
  • Discretionary relief to business (non-domestic rates) rate payers.   

As part of the approach, we plan to transfer publicly owned assets into site ownership.  

Composition of the Mayoral Development Corporation  

The MDC Board will be appointed by the Tees Valley Mayor, with agreement of the Combined Authority Cabinet. It will be made up of local leaders from the public and private sectors to ensure that local decisions are central to decision making.  

A Constitution will be adopted, which sets out open and transparent procedures for decision making. 

Questions  

Prior to the Development Corporation being created, we are seeking your views on the following questions: 

  • Do you think the Mayoral Development Corporation will support the economic regeneration of Middlesbrough Town Centre?  
  • Do you think the boundary is appropriate?  
  • Do you think the proposed powers are the right ones to deliver our ambitions for the site?  
  • Do you have any comments on the proposals to include planning powers? 

How can you respond? 

We encourage all responses to be submitted via the online portal here.

We will also receive survey responses by post at: 

MDC Consultation
Tees Valley Combined Authority
Teesside Airport Business Suite,
Teesside International Airport,
Darlington,
DL2 1NJ

Or by email at: info@teesvalley-ca.gov.uk

All responses must be received by 12 noon on 4th August.

What happens next?  

All responses will be considered by the Combined Authority as part of the design and establishment of the MDC.

FAQs 

What will the MDC do? 

The MDC will:  

  • Further the economic development and regeneration of the Middlesbrough area, so that it becomes a major contributor to the Tees Valley economy and the delivery of the Tees Valley’s Strategic Economic Plan  
  • Attract private sector investment and secure additional jobs, available for the people of the Tees Valley  
  • Transform and improve the environment of the Corporation area, providing good quality commercial, culture, leisure and housing facilities for the benefit of the people of Middlesbrough.   

 

What powers will the MDC have?  

The Localism Act 2011 sets out the powers that can be granted to the MDC to enable it to achieve its objectives. They include: 

  • Infrastructure  
  • Regeneration, development of land and other related activities  
  • Acquisition of land by compulsory purchase and overriding third party rights to its land 
  • Adoption of private streets  
  • Carrying on of business by the MDC and its participation in subsidiaries and other companies 
  • Giving of financial assistance  
  • Planning 
  • Discretionary relief to business (non-domestic rates) rate payers.   

When will the MDC be established? 

Subject to approval by the Combined Authority Cabinet, the Mayor will write to the Secretary of State to formally designate the Mayoral Development Corporation in July 2022. Specific legislation will then be passed in Parliament, which we expect to be around October. A Master Plan will be developed for the Development Corporation and will be launched once it is established as a legal entity.   

What area will the MDC cover? 

See attached map.

Why do we need an MDC and what are the benefits?  

The MDC will enable ambitious plans for the area be taken forward through a new set of powers and local leadership. The ability to co-ordinate land, planning and investments will enable an approach to development that would not otherwise be possible. It can move at pace to accelerate regeneration, attract private investment and create jobs.