Press Release - Consultants Appointed

[admin]

HARTLEPOOL COUNCIL
PRESS RELEASE

Council appoints leading firm to help develop regeneration Masterplan

HARTLEPOOL Council has appointed the UK's largest independent commercial property firm to help deliver a radical new regeneration blueprint for the town.

GVA – who has a proven track record of delivering masterplans both in the UK and worldwide – beat off stiff competition to land the key role helping to develop an ambitious Masterplan covering the town's Marina and waterfront.

The Masterplan forms part of the Hartlepool Vision unveiled by Hartlepool Council earlier this year which aims to revitalise the centre of Hartlepool, spark the town's wider regeneration and lay the foundations for its future prosperity.

The master planning of the waterfront and surrounding area will not only set out in detail what can be delivered but also show where and how this can be achieved. It aims to increase Hartlepool's profile as a major leisure and visitor destination and unlock opportunities for the economic growth of the town.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, the Leader of Hartlepool Council, said: "GVA has a wealth of experience in delivering masterplans and I am sure they will prove to be an excellent appointment.

"We know that Hartlepool has lots of assets but there is also so much more potential to make the town a better place to live, work and visit. Hartlepool Council has very bold and ambitious plans to regenerate key areas of the town and GVA fully understand what we are trying to achieve for the town.

"Our aim is to create major new retail and leisure facilities, increase the town's profile as a visitor destination, a centre for advanced manufacturing and produce much-needed job opportunities for the town and the masterplan will help to achieve this. It is all about promoting Hartlepool as a quality, thriving destination and together with GVA, the business community, residents and others I'm confident we can achieve this."

Councillor Akers-Belcher said that one of the first steps would be to seek local people's views on what they would like to see in the Masterplan and consultation will take place over the Summer months.

"Residents, businesses, land owners, developers and others will have the chance to play their part and shape the Masterplan and I encourage everyone to participate in this process when it begins," said Councillor Akers-Belcher.

Richard Newsome, an Associate in GVA's Newcastle upon Tyne office, commented:  "GVA is very impressed with the commitment from the Council and we look forward to working in partnership to prepare the Masterplan for this key area of the town. 

"Hartlepool has many strengths and it has achieved significant regeneration successes over the years, but the Masterplan heralds the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the town.

"Our aim is to help the Council and the town realise its aspirations and transform a vision behind the Masterplan into reality."

Following consultation and further work by GVA, the first draft of the Masterplan is expected to be completed towards the end of 2014.

Hartlepool Council has already purchased the former Jacksons Landing site which lies at the heart of the marina and is one of several areas earmarked by Council chiefs to be revitalised.

Also real estate company M Seven recently purchased the Highlight Retail Park in the Marina and has exciting plans to extend the site and create 50 new jobs in the process.

For further information, contact Rob Smith at Hartlepool Council on 01429 523531 or email rob.smith@hartlepool.gov.uk

Notes to News Editors

GVA is the UK's largest independent commercial property consultant. Headquartered in London and with 12 offices and 700 fee earners around the UK, GVA offers the country's largest and most diverse multidisciplinary property consultancy outside of the capital. The company is 80% consultancy-based.

GVA's overall business generated a turnover of £147.3 million year ending 30 April 2013, up from £140.4 million on the previous year. For further information visit www.gva.co.uk

GVA is the majority shareholder in GVA Worldwide, a growing partnership of independent commercial real estate companies serving over 50 markets throughout Europe and Asia. A partnership between GVA and Cassidy Turley in the US enables us to harness the expertise of 5,700 real estate professionals in over 110 offices across 20 countries. For more information visit www.gvaworldwide.com

The following are attached

The Masterplan brief

http://www.hartlepoolpost.co.uk/files/vision_brief_2.pdf

Picture of Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher.

[Inspector Knacker]

Wow..... a mastertplan..........!!!
A trifling little point......where's the money coming from....?

[stokoe]

Have a look at the second item down on the list,g.v.a are doing brightons also, does that mean we are going PINK 



http://www.gva.co.uk/news/

[norfolkngoode]

Wow..... a mastertplan..........!!!
A trifling little point......where's the money coming from....?

That's a good question.......

How are these deluded dreamers gonna pay for it?

Is it going to be privately financed? Or are they going to go cap in hand to the government and ask for funds?

If they are looking for government money, they had better do it now while we've got a tory government.........

Cause if their champagne socialist mates ever regain power, they've  got no chance........

They wont spend a ha'penny on this place.

[Inspector Knacker]

I've just informed the wife I've got a ......masterplan........I'm getting my cosultants in.....the world famous SOS  Solutions plc. They say we can have eight extra bedrooms...a garden leisure centre with a pool...... a helipad...... a staff of 17 servants.......... and a ferris wheel.
It's all financed by someone called 'Kneecap Finance'........get in!!!

[notenoughsaid]

   The comments I am about to make are perhaps more relevant to the previous thread. "No contribution to D Day commemorations  by  HBC."  or similar.I'll let Admin.decide.   The article in the Mail tonight explains (as stated above) that GVA are about to undertake the task of providing a Master Plan for developing the towns Marina and waterfront.   What a coincidence that the firm have a rep.called Richard Newsome in their Newcastle Office who is obviously party to the siging of this agreement.    What better than an aquatic venue to sign,seal and deliver the deal than a cruise on the Tyne!!!!!(possibly at the expense of the company who no doubt will pass it on to the Council Tax payer in the long run.)  If this is correct then shame on the "Not so dynamic Duo" 70 years after the real men of this world gave their lives to rid the world of tyrannny. What an abuse of privilege and neglect of  civic duty......If I am wrong I apologize... Binns window does not come into it.   However I know where my money is. 
   Nice having the Millennium Bridge raised  for you!  Not being a betting man I'd wager once more that neither of the pair know that the bearings supporting the said bridge were made and installed by a Hartlepool firm. (HQ Engineering) I belive but if wrong I stand to be corrected.

[clavering codhead]

Nice to see they "shopped local" and got a london firm in.

[fred c]

How much is this "Consultation" going to cost the Council Tax payers, £250,000....... £500,000 ? who knows, one thing for sure whatever they come up with will be out of our price range.

Deluded Visons will be the Bankruptcy of Hartlepool, courtesy of "The Dear Leader & The Mob"

[Inspector Knacker]

Odd how money can be found for this nonsense yet things like evening bus services are decimated because of cuts........ surely a Labour administrstion would be more intetested in  looking after its core vote who rely on buses than bankrolling consultants...odd that.
Come on, tell how it's done...pleeeeeeeeease....has some money been gound down the back of the settee....?