Bringing together developers and investors

Around 100 delegates attended a special breakfast networking event yesterday to hear about progress on the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal and forthcoming investment opportunities.

Local, regional and national businesses at the City Deal Investor & Developer Forum heard from developers and housebuilders about their schemes, had the opportunity to network with other investors and developers, and speak with the City Deal Delivery Team about how to become actively involved.

The event in Leyland was organised by the City Deal Delivery Team and hosted by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership.

It was introduced by Jim Carter, director of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and Chair of the City Deal, who gave an update on the progress so far, along with key upcoming infrastructure projects that will unlock housing and commercial sites across the area.

Jim Carter said: "It was good to see so many house builders, construction companies, developers and investors attend our Forum. The success of the City Deal is dependent upon these companies doing what they do best – investing, building and developing in Central Lancashire. We are making real progress in implementing the City Deal and it is really important that we continue to listen to the private sector to help them contribute to the growth of Central Lancashire's economy."

Dr Michele Lawty-Jones, director of the Lancashire Skills Hub for the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership gave an update on the construction skills and employment priorities in City Deal's Skills and Employment Plan, which aims to support industry to recruit and retain a skilled and productive workforce.

They were joined by other speakers including Steve Errington, the chief executive of Story Homes who spoke about their positive experience of expanding in a strong location; Karl Tupling, The Homes and Communities Association's Executive Director North West; and Ruth Connor, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire.

During a successful first year for the City Deal, significant and visible progress has included the delivery of key road infrastructure improvements, alongside the development of residential and commercial sites.

The City Deal will bring economic growth to the area over the next decade. It has been agreed between the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, Preston City Council, South Ribble Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, along with central government and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

This includes creating more than 20,000 new jobs and the building of over 17,000 new homes.

For more information visit www.lancashirelep.co.uk/city-deal, email [email protected] or follow the work on twitter @LancsCityDeal.

The photograph shows (left to right) Ruth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire; Jim Carter, Chair of the City Deal Executive; Karl Tupling, Executive Director North West, Homes & Communities Agency; Stuart Sage, head of area for Lancashire and Cumbria at the HCA; Andy Walker, head of business growth and innovation at Lancashire County Council; Steve Errington, Chief Executive of Story Homes; and Michele Lawty-Jones from the Lancashire Skills Hub.

For further information please contact: Stephen Axon on 01772 533 194
[email protected]
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