On Wednesday last week I drove to The Old Rectory at Northfleet, for a meeting of the Kent Thameside Regeneration Partnership. This was a really important meeting for me, as Kent Thameside is one of the biggest regeneration challenges in the region. Close proximity to London; making sure that Kent gets its fair share of Government finance and attention; ensuring that existing local communities get real benefit from the investment and activity – these are all issues that require time and effort.
Around the table were Dartford and Gravesham Borough Councils; English Partnerships; SEEDA and Land Securities along with DCLG, GOSE and a raft of other partners and agencies. We discussed the Fastrack bus initiative; the new Institute for Sustainability, along with homes, roads, infrastructure and multi-area partnership working.
It’s going to be fascinating to work with such a committed and professional group of people, and to be involved in such a pivotal regeneration project.
