Local authorities to have a say on use of scrapped regeneration agency’s assets

Most of the soon-to-be-abolished agency’s assets will be handed over to the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the Government’s housing and regeneration quango, by September, with local authorities able to have a say in how they are used.

The HCA will also manage the flagship Advanced Manufacturing Park in South Yorkshire, where key plots are still to be developed.

The Government said the assets could now be used to support economic growth and regeneration in the region, although precise details of how the “stewardship” scheme will work have still to be revealed.

Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “The transfer of Regional Development Agency land and property assets to the Homes and Communities Agency underlines our commitment to making sure these assets are used to support economic growth and regeneration.

“Through local enterprise partnerships, the Regional Growth Fund and Enterprise Zones, we are putting in place an efficient and locally-driven model of regional economic development that ensures Government support goes to where it can have most impact.”

Some of Yorkshire Forward’s assets are already being sold off ahead of its formal closure next April but the “stewardship” plan should mean key sites which the agency owns and was planning to redevelop – such as the Tower Works development in Leeds and the former Odeon Cinema in Bradford – will now remain in public hands, with local authorities able to influence their use.

Ministers have been criticised for refusing to allow the assets to be handed over to councils for free but yesterday’s decision was cautiously welcomed.

Coun Peter Box, vice chair of Local Government Yorkshire and Humber and Leader of Wakefield Council, said: “The proposal will place directly-elected councillors and local communities at the heart of decision-making on the future of Yorkshire Forward land

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