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Coastal South East To Be Transformed Into Major Areas Of Sustainable Prosperity
15 October 2007
A major renaissance of the coastal towns of the South East is underway which will see them transformed into sustainable and prosperous areas.
The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) is consulting partners on a targeted strategy which will address the diverse potentials and challenges in towns across the Coastal South East. This will lead to a targeted action plan, bringing together the regional and local approaches needed to achieve critical mass for a locally driven transformation of each area.
SEEDA has been working with a broad range of stakeholders on the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) Implementation Plan, to be launched on 25 October. Building on a draft framework for the Coastal South East (Kent Thames Gateway, East Kent and Ashford, Sussex Coast, South Hampshire and the Isle of Wight), SEEDA and its partners are defining the needs of a "Creative, connected, Competitive and Sustainable Coast."
To highlight the need for comprehensive regeneration in key coastal towns a two-day conference organised by English Heritage - Seaside Heritage, Colourful Past, Bright Future – began today (Tuesday) in Hastings, East Sussex. SEEDA Chief Executive Pam Alexander will speak to the conference on the economic benefits of coastal renaissance.
Ms Alexander said: "If the towns of the coastal South East were to match the average economic performance of the South East region, an estimated £13billion in GVA would be added to the national economy each year. SEEDA is already working with local authorities and other partners to transform key areas of the coast including Hastings, Dover, Margate, Brighton, Southampton and Shoreham, and to bring new skills and opportunities to their residents.
"SEEDA’s coastal strategy and action plan, which will be published by the end of this year, will focus on creating cities and towns where people choose to live. It will set out strategies for investing in an urban renaissance, redeveloping and regenerating key town centres to stimulate local economies; raising the quality of the offer to visitors and releasing the enterprise potential of the creative and cultural industries, leisure and visitor economy; supporting skills and enterprise and stimulating the creation of a wide variety of businesses."
The results will be a network of diverse, vibrant towns and cities which are high quality places and destinations.
Work is already underway in key areas such as Margate in East Kent. Margate, which has suffered considerable economic decline in recent years, is already being revitalised by the Margate Renewal Partnership, bringing together partners including SEEDA, Thanet District Council, Kent County Council and English Heritage. The historic town centre has already attracted new creative and cultural activities built around the quality and character of the old town and seafront and anticipating the iconic new art gallery, Turner Contemporary. Detailed designs for this new gallery are being launched in Margate this evening by Stirling prize-winning architect David Chipperfield.
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