Business and local government to discuss economic growth in the North West11th September 2012

Leading figures in business and local government will come together today to discuss the role of the property industry in helping to unlock economic growth and regeneration in the North West.

The debate comes after Salford council announced that it had approved plans for one of the UK's biggest regeneration projects after it had earlier this year approved planning permission to expand the Salford Shopping City in Pendleton.

After a nine year consultation, the £430 million scheme hopes to build 1,600 new homes in Salford and refurbish 1,200 existing properties. It was also create new parks and open spaces, sports pitches, community facilities and a city farm.

This morning’s debate, organised by the British Property Federation in partnership with law firm Eversheds, will discuss what the impact of the Government’s growth agenda on property development in Manchester and regeneration in the North West.

Panellists include:

Chris Grigg, Chief Executive, British Land
Sir Richard Leese, Leader, Manchester City Council
Liz Peace, Chief Executive, British Property Federation
Matthew Collings, Senior Associate, Eversheds LLP
Chris Brown, Igloo Regeneration

Chair of the event Liz Peace, Chief Executive of the British Property Federation, said: “After being one the area’s most affected by last year’s riots, the council’s decision to give the green light to the regeneration project could not have come at a better time for the community. The scheme shows that there is enormous potential for growth in the North West.

“We have broadly supported the Government’s new collaborative approach to regeneration and its efforts to spur growth through policies such as tax increment finance, Enterprise Zones, and the reform of local government finance.

“However, we would urge it to go further with these policies and to keep removing the barriers to regeneration to make sure these initiatives achieve their full potential.”