§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what current developments Teesside development corporation has in hand; and if he will make a statement on progress to date.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe Teesside development corporation has the following schemes currently under way: At Hartlepool, the corporation has just opened a major new tourist attraction, the Hartlepool historic quay, which is well on its way to achieving its target of 250,000 visitors per annum. The opening of the centre has already led to the attraction of substantial private sector investment in complementary developments such as a factory shopping complex, superstore, food courts, public house and restaurant and negotiations are also under way for further commercial and residential schemes.
At Teesside the corporation is continuing in its drive to transform 100 hectares of formerly derelict land into a high-quality development incorporating commercial, office, residential, retail, educational and leisure facilities. To that end, the Tees barrage, which was commissioned in September 1994, will be fully operational in 1995. This 1005W will dramatically improve the environment and water quality of the Tees providing a prestigious and dramatic setting for water sports and recreation. It will also lead to the attraction of further private investment on high-quality sites with attractive water frontage.
Preston farm, the corporation's main industrial and business site continue to attract new private sector investment. The latest success is the announcement of the creation of 1,000 new jobs within a three-year period by the international cable company COMCAST.
Overall, the Teesside development corporation in its first six years to 31 March 1994 has achieved the following:
- 7,000 new jobs in new floorspace- 274,000 sq m of new floorspace- 700 houses completed with a further 350 underway.- £715 million of private sector investment attracted to the area.- 330 hectares of land reclaimed.- Over 6,000 jobs provided in the construction industry.- Over 300 companies assisted to expand and/or to relocate to Teesside- £53 million of receipts.- £10 million of European assistance secured.- Integrated the community into its developments by promoting schemes such as social and sheltered housing, training initiatives, a new University College, two nursing homes, a Community Farm, an Enterprise and Training Centre and wide-spread environmental improvements.