'Changes a threat to region's economy' (From The Northern Echo)

'Changes a threat to region's economy'

9:30am Tuesday 7th August 2007 in Campaigns

A CONTROVERSIAL planning document threatens to undermine the economic renaissance of the North-East, according to a senior figure leading the regeneration of the region.

Councillor Alan Cox, a member of Durham County Council's cabinet, said that, in its current form, the Regional Spatial Strategy would have severe economic and social implications for County Durham.

Yesterday, The Northern Echo handed a dossier of evidence to Hazel Blears, the Communities and Local Government Minister, urging the Government to rethink the legally binding strategy, which would shape development in the region until 2021.

The strategy, drawn up by the North-East Assembly, has been revised by the Government, which proposes to ditch several key projects and water down others.

The Northern Echo launched its Shaping the Future campaign to highlight the failings of the Government proposals, which include limiting the growth of the flagship NetPark science and technology centre in Sedgefield, County Durham, and deleting major job-creation projects in Durham City, Darlington, Newton Aycliffe, and Seaham, County Durham.

Government consultation on the proposed changes ended yesterday, ahead of the publication of its revised strategy in the autumn.

Durham County Council has submitted formal objections, saying its "meagre" housing allocation would lead to a population decline, while key employment sites such as NetPark, the Tursdale rail freight facility and renewable energy village at Eastgate, in Weardale, would suffer.

Coun Cox said: "If implemented, this watering-down of the Regional Spatial Strategy would have severe economic and social implications for the residents of County Durham and would undermine prospects for the economic renaissance of the region as a whole.

"We are grateful to The Northern Echo for the campaign they have run throughout the consultation period to highlight these concerns."

Yesterday, the evidence compiled by The Northern Echo was delivered to Ms Blears' desk.

A spokesman for the Department of Communities and Local Government, said: "This is a very important document for the region and it is important that we get it right.

"That is why we set out an extended consultation period to ensure as many people as possible can get involved and have their say.

"We welcome The Northern Echo's contribution to the consultation and will be looking closely at it alongside other responses to ensure the North-East has a strategy that will bring real and long-term benefits for years to come."