South East England Development Agency is Closing on March 31, 2012

The Government has announced that all Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), including SEEDA, will close by 31 March 2012.

Responsibility for economic development and regeneration in England is being passed onto successor bodies, including Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and central Government departments

Our objective is to ensure a professional and cost effective closure by this date.  We have pledged to work closely with our partners, contractors and stakeholders to ensure that the past and future economic benefits of key programmes and assets continue to deliver the greatest economic value for the South East and value for money for the taxpayer. 

Please click here for more details about our closure plan, transition arrangements and successor organisations.

Credit Surrey Satellite Technology Limited
MAS South East

In action: Kent and Medway: Key activities: Thanet

Turner Contemporary, Margate

  • This world class Art Gallery is part of a broader redevelopment of the eastern seafront.
  • SEEDA provided £4million towards the Turner Contemporary, which opened in April 2011, with a total funding package of £17.4million. This project is led by Kent County Council and also supported by a capital grant from the Arts Council of just over £4million.
  • The dual carriageway running past the site has been turned into a single carriageway road, which released land for public realm works around the new Gallery.

Former M&S site, Margate

  • SEEDA invested £6m in the former Marks and Spencer site on the High Street in 2006.
  • SEEDA facilitated Thanet partners in seeking a beneficial interim use for building, which was been acquired by SEEDA on behalf of Thanet District Council.
  • Plans for the building originally envisaged a retail led mixed use development, but market conditions are currently unfavourable for this type of use.
  • SEEDA’s engagement has led to very positive discussions between partners over the possible interim use of the building for a number of years.
  • In the meantime, partners are considering the planning context for a long-term re-development solution of this site, potentially including a wider mix of occupiers.

Eurokent

  • SEEDA completed the construction of 35,000 ft² of small business space at the Eurokent site near Broadstairs earlier in 2009, on Thanet District Council’s land. This includes 10,000 sq ft for business space and 25,000 sq ft for light industrial.
  • This provides quality small to medium size business space, which is otherwise not readily available in the area.
  • SEEDA’s investment in this development has been £5.7million, which includes £1.3million of European funding between 2005-2006 and 2008-2009.

For further information please contact the Homes & Communities Agency