12,000 successes

Nov 15 2006 By The Journal

The Go For Jobs campaign is one year old this week. In the first of a three-part series, Ross Smith and Helen Livingstone report on how it has unlocked crucial developments.

More than 12,000 jobs in the North-East have been secured thanks to the Go For Jobs campaign.

That is revealed by figures compiled to mark the first anniversary of the campaign to prevent the region's economy being held back by its poor roads network.

It was launched by The Journal, our sister paper on Teesside the Evening Gazette and the North-East Chamber of commerce after a string of developments were hit with Article 14 notices issued by the Highways Agency.

The body's little known power to put the brakes on planning decisions quickly became all too familiar as projects estimated to represent £1bn of investment and 10,000 jobs were stalled.

One year later, the lifting of Article 14s has enabled developments to begin which will mean 12,600 jobs are created or safeguarded.

Only two Article 14s remain - but they could still be blocking up to 3,300 jobs.

NECC spokesman Mike Parker said: "This is a remarkable achievement for a campaign which has hit to the very heart of a problem that threatened the ongoing prosperity of the North-East. Few campaigns have had such a dramatic effect on Government policy in such a short space of time. The MPs and business leaders in this region are to be praised for their efforts in ensuring urgent action was taken."

A leading regeneration boss described Go For Jobs as "one of the most responsible campaigns a newspaper has run in the country".

Successes include the Victoria Harbour development at Hartlepool, Rainton Bridge business park in Sunderland and the Durham Green Business Park at Bowburn.

Other projects the Highways Agency was dissuaded from blocking were the redevelopment of the derelict Jockey factory on Gateshead's Team Valley trading estate and The Point complex on the south bank of the Tyne, both from UK Land Estates.

However, developers have warned that the uncertainty over planning in the North-East has not ended, and some firms are still wary of spending money on plans they fear will be rejected. One business leader likened the situation to "guerrilla war" with the agency. Mr Parker said: "There are still major ongoing problems between the Highways Agency and developers which have to be addressed. The HA has indicated it is prepared to draw up a memorandum of understanding with developers, which we hope will clear much of the confusion that has arrested development in vital areas. This is a priority that needs completing immediately."

Tees Valley Regeneration chief executive Joe Docherty said: "We've seen significant developments at major schemes, including both Victoria Harbour and Durham Tees Valley Airport, both of which are crucial to the North-East. The campaign, we know, has helped with that.

"This is one of the most responsible campaigns a newspaper has run in the country and it's certainly helped shape the thinking of the Highways Agency. There's a lot more still needs to be done, but so far it's had a significant impact."

One NorthEast director of regeneration and tourism John Holmes said: "The campaign has certainly raised awareness of Article 14 in the year it has been running and this has led to developers and the Highways Agency working more closely together at an earlier stage.

"One NorthEast has also worked to overcome specific issues before they become problems with developers and the agency. However, there is still a need to take the longer term view on regional transport planning."

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Case 1

When plans were drawn up to bring jobs back to a derelict former factory site in Team Valley, it looked like good news for jobs.

The former Jockey underwear factory had been empty for a year when plans were lodged in October 2005 to build 10 industrial units.

The UK Land Estates plan could have created 110 jobs.

But before a decision was due to be reached by Gateshead councillors last February 14, objections from the Highways Agency prompted the decision to be deferred and the council to miss its target date for a decision on the plan.

The agency voiced concerns despite research showing the warehouses would put just 65 extra vehicles on the roads during the evening rush hour and would create only a quarter of the jobs previously seen on the site in the Jockey factory's heyday. Business leaders were outraged, saying the Highways Agency was effectively closing Team Valley to new firms, while trade unions attacked the agency for blocking much-needed new jobs.

After a two month delay, the block was lifted, after what the Highways Agency said were constructive discussions with UK Land Estates.

However, business leaders hailed the decision as a victory for the Go For Jobs campaign.

The North-East Chamber of Commerce said: "This is a major success for the Go For Jobs campaign and reflects the pressure being brought to bear on the Highways Agency to abandon delaying tactics that are harming North-East economy."

The development is now ready to begin.

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Case 2

Rainton Bridge business park at Sunderland was arguably the most prominent development to be hit with an Article 14 notice.

Last July, Newcastle bank Northern Rock announced plans to move 1,100 staff and create up to 2,500 jobs at a £60m office complex at the park.

The development was viewed by regional development agency One NorthEast as directly in line with its economic strategy and was backed by Sunderland Council.

However, last February, councillors were told they could not approve the complex because of an Article 14 order from the Highways Agency. The agency insisted on more traffic information about the park, which is three-and-a-half miles from the A1 and two-and-a-half miles from the A19.

The Go For Jobs campaign stepped up pressure and featured the development on the front page of The Journal last February.

ONE director of regeneration and tourism John Holmes said: "Delays due to Article 14 can only hamper our progress and prevent the region from improving delivery on inward investment and redevelopment."

After agreeing to meet to discuss the development last June, Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman pledged the block would be lifted within four weeks. A fortnight later, the six-month delay on the office complex was finally brought to an end.

The second phase of the project - five office buildings totalling 100,000sq ft - is now complete.

Work on the 400,000sq ft to be taken by Northern Rock is to start shortly, with final details to be finalised within weeks.

The full 54-acre site being developed by Akeler is expected to attract investment of 100m.

Page 2: Firms won't give up despite trials