Planning Peterborough's infrastructure future
CGI of proposed North Westgate development in Peterborough (Chapman Taylor)
We are delighted that Peterborough City Council's Executive Director for Place & Economy, Steve Cox will join Future Cities Forum's 'Infrastructure 2020' event at Herbert Smith Freehills on 11 February.
Steve Cox is leading one of the only joint services in the UK concentrated on developing both a City unitary (Peterborough) and County Council area (Cambridgeshire), and completing a wholly joined up management team under Chief Executive Gillian Beasley.
Peterborough has several major regeneration developments in planning, as the city prepares for an estimated population growth of 17% over the next fifteen years and to establish itself further as a major regional centre.
Plans for a new university are progressing, to be located east of the historic quarter and just north of the River Nene. This will offer subjects such as artificial intelligence, cyber security and architecture. According to Peterborough Today the Combined Authority is looking to raise an addition al £20 million for a signature building for the university.
Steve says that strong infrastructure and transport connections will be core to the city's success in attracting more businesses, university students and tourists, pointing out that the city benefits from being forty minutes from London King's Cross on the East Coast main line, and being able to connect by major roads to the west of England, the midlands and along the A14 corridor to Cambridge and the ports at Harwich and Felixstowe.
A development framework has been prepared for the city council, mapping the zones and quarters of the city that would benefit from investment in mixed use offices, housing, retail and leisure, and linked by green walking routes and cycle-ways. Major schemes include the proposed £100 million North West Gate (planned by Hawksworth Securities with architects Chapman Taylor) regeneration, Station Quarter and Fletton Quays.
Steve was previously Corporate Director, Place at Thurrock Council where he was responsible for leading England’s highest rated planning service, drawing down £150m of Government growth funding, delivering a £500m capital programme and leading Thurrock’s response to the proposed £6bn Lower Thames Crossing.
He was also Chair of Thurrock Regeneration Ltd, the Council owned company delivering 1000 new homes.
His previous roles have included a shared service role as Director of Growth for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, a range of executive director roles at the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and roles delivering major new development at Hertfordshire County Council.