Planning for Growth: Business and local government to discuss the government’s growth agenda in Yorkshire

Some of the leading figures in business and local government will come together on Thursday 20^th September to discuss how economic growth and regeneration can be unlocked in Yorkshire. 

The debate will hear from Land Securities’ Portfolio Director Gerald Jennings ahead of the company opening the doors to the £350m Trinity Leeds project in spring 2013. The project will dramatically change the city’s retail offer with over 1 million sq ft, the largest of its kind in Western Europe. 

The debate organised by the British Property Federation in partnership with law firm Squire Sanders, will discuss the impact of the government’s growth agenda on property development in Yorkshire. 

Panellists include:

• Sarah Pearson, Service Director for Economic Growth and Housing, Wakefield Council
• Gerald Jennings, Portfolio Director, Land Securities
• John Till, Director, Thinking Place
• Andrew Sprake, Partner, Squire Sanders
• Liz Peace, Chief Executive, British Property Federation

Chair of the event Liz Peace, Chief Executive of the British Property Federation, said: “You could be forgiven for thinking that outside of London there’s little development happening. But Trinity Leeds shows there is enormous potential for economic growth in Yorkshire. 

“We have broadly supported the Government’s new collaborative approach to regeneration and its efforts to spur growth through policies such as tax increment finance, Enterprise Zones, and the reform of local government finance. 

“However, we would urge it to go further with these policies and to keep removing the barriers to regeneration to make sure these initiatives achieve their full potential.” 

Andrew Sprake, Real Estate partner at Squire Sanders added: “Squire Sanders is delighted to be working in partnership with the BPF to promote the issue of regeneration in Yorkshire. 

“Investment plays an integral role in changing perceptions of an area for businesses and residents alike; making neighbourhoods more attractive and prosperous. However ensuring that these additional benefits are delivered effectively requires on-going collaboration between investors and the Government as well as pro-active planning by local authorities. The ‘Planning for Growth’ event will allow the audience to put forward their own questions to the panel in what should be a lively debate.”

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