What is the Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership ?

It is a body made up of partner organisations such as local authorities, the Essex County Council, regeneration organisations and others such as Business Link, the Learning and Skills Council and EEDA (the East of England Development Agency).

It is through these organisations that the Partnership aims to have an impact on improving the way people live and work in south Essex to enhance their lives.

The Partnership, which has been running for five years, believes that through one strong voice it can effect change by improving the region for years to come. It is already committed to helping to deliver 55,000 new jobs and 43,800 new homes to the region by 2021 through regeneration.

Its reach encompasses aspects that include culture, sport, education, industry, construction, transport, our heritage and the environment. Below are some of the regeneration projects going on in the region.

Future prospects for Basildon
Southend's regeneration
Rejuvenating Thurrock
Castle Point Transformation
Rochford revitalisation

Future prospects for Basildon district

Regenerating its town centres is a major priority for the Basildon district and the Basildon Renaissance Partnership is charged with meeting these aims.

The partnership is made up of organisations including Basildon District Council, the Department for Communities and Local Government, East of England Development Agency, English Partnerships, Essex County Council and the Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership.

In 2003, the renaissance partnership decided, with support from Basildon Council, to review the town centres in the district and produce a game plan – the development framework.

The partnership's long-term aim is to enhance the wider regeneration of the Basildon area and position it as the economic powerhouse within the Thames Gateway region. Over the next 25 years the aim is to develop the perfect environment for business success that includes:

•  Investment in new commercial areas such as Gardiners Lane South

•  Regenerating the district's town centres including Basildon , Wickford, Pitsea and Laindon

•  Improving transportation links

•  Investing in new homes

•  Investing in sport and recreation, with Basildon becoming a major centre for sports

Southend's regeneration

Southend is changing and one of the organisations tasked with its regeneration is Renaissance Southend in tandem with Southend Council and other partners.

It is aiming for new energy, new spirit and a new future and already the town has seen some exciting developments – including the new South East Essex College and a revamped high street and pier entrance.

A new University of Essex campus has also opened to students, and the private sector is playing a vital part in updating the Victoria Shopping Centre.

The residential property market is brisk and the area's entertainment and cultural venues, music and drama scene are fast developing.

It's just a year old but already Renaissance Southend is focused on the key challenges of the area:

•  Underused or vacant sites in the town centre

•  Improving the seafront area

•  Upgrading of some office space and industrial areas

• Improving road access

Other challenges identified for Renaissance Southend's attention include:

•  Supporting the growth of Southend airport to act as a driver for business and leisure growth

•  Establishing short and long-term plans for the new Ranges site at Shoebury

•  A long-term strategy relating to the modernisation of Shoebury industrial estates to bring about regeneration

Rejuvenating Thurrock

Thurrock has 18 miles of riverside providing many attractive sites for commercial and residential development, manufacturing and logistics activities.

Five key areas have been identified for regeneration in the Thurrock area:

•  London Gateway (Shellhaven)/ East Thurrock

•  Tilbury

•  Grays

•  Lakeside/West Thurrock

•  Purfleet

There are plans for 18,500 new homes and 26,000 new jobs by 2021 and projects include a National Skills Academy for Live Performing Arts and relocation of the Royal Opera House's scenery production facility.

Other proposals will lead to the creation of more jobs in both new and existing industries including retailing, research and development, creative industries and logistics, transport and distribution.

Work is already under way to develop the concept of a ‘ University College ' in central Grays, where a new campus will provide a wide range of FE/HE, community and work-based learning opportunities.

Castle Point transformation

The area is changing thanks to work from the Castle Point Regeneration Partnership.

The Canvey seafront has been identified as a priority regeneration area and is to receive £1 million from the Government for the project.

Successes already include the transformation of a former landfill site into Canvey Heights Country Park, and now the RSPB has bought land at West Canvey Marsh where it is to create a nature reserve for the preservation of wildlife and make it more accessible to visitors.

The partnership is looking at ways of supporting existing businesses at Charfleets Industrial Estate to encourage more investment both on this site and at Northwick Road to create additional employment.

It is also working closely with Essex County Council for improvements to the traffic capacity on the A13 and to relieve the congestion on the Island.

Additionally, a study is being undertaken to look at how Hadleigh Town Centre can be made a more attractive community shopping area. In the long term, programme studies will be undertaken to see how the Manor Trading Estate in Thundersley and Benfleet and Thundersley shopping centres can be improved.

Rochford revitalisation

It is estimated that about ten per cent of the Rochford area comes under the Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership regeneration area, which is the area around Southend Airport. However, it is a key player in the region's fortunes as the airport lies within its planning authority district, and therefore it is responsible for overseeing any proposed changes.

Currently, the Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park is four years into a five year development plan, and this will contribute to the Gateway's ‘green lung'.