Mayoral Development Corporation - Middlesbrough -

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fmttmadmin

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The Tees Valley Mayor is chair of MDC in Middlesbrough. They own much of Middlesbrough, the Crown, even the Central Library. This was brought in by the government after the council voted against this proposal by the then mayor, Andy Preston. The idea is you cut through planning red tape to allow speedier development to take place. ie they are outside the scrutiny of the local planning authority and pay a planning consultancy outside of Teesside.
According to wiki
"Middlesbrough Development Corporation (MDC) is a publicly-owned mayoral development corporation created to fund, manage, and accelerate regeneration in Middlesbrough town centre and Middlehaven, England."
But does anyone know exactly how much of Middlesbrough is in the MDC? And what assets could be sold off and redeveloped without any local input and local say/opinion.
Does anyone have a map or list? And who is on the MDC board - does anyone know and is there any accountability at all? Or could they just sell everything to their preferred bidders? Ben Houchen is the chair, we know that and it really worries me.
 
This was the issue when the MDC was being set up. It’s purpose is to develop property, sell it and then reinvest the funds but everything being handed to them was council owned which means it will all be sold off to private ownership with none of the funds going to the council.
 
AytonMews said:
You should have raised these concerns at the time it was being set up Rob!
Click to expand...
Oh I did and was in conversation with some of its main advocates at the time. They were defeated by the council and wanted to know why so many people opposed it. Look back in fmttm and you will see a lot of opposition from many on here. My conversation was face to face. One day later the defeated proposal was taken down to Westminster where Michael Gove and the government acted against a democratic vote and imposed it on Middlesbrough.
Recently I was involved with a group wanting to put a small sign up on a plot of land and had to apply to an outside planning company for permission - which was granted.
I am really worried about what this could mean for Middlesbrough and Hartlepool.
 
Development Corporations have been used by - largely Tory - governments for years to undermine - largely Labour - local authorities.
 
if he is voted out this week does that mean he is not chair any longer or on the board? same with his beloved airport?
 
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