Public-private partnerships 'will drive future regeneration'

Tue 01 Jun 2010

The prime minister has confirmed the government intends to use public-private partnerships and central-local partnerships to drive future regeneration in Britain.

According to David Cameron, this approach has been strongly advocated by former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine.

Mr Cameron said few people know more about regeneration than the Conservative peer, who first visited London Docklands when it was simply a "forgotten wasteland".

The prime minister noted that this area has become one of London's most dynamic and wealthy locations because of the regeneration that has taken place in the last 30 years.

As a result, the new coalition government plans to pursue the approach recommended by Lord Heseltine.

Mr Cameron said the "coming together" of business, government and councils would help to "breathe economic life" into towns and cities across the UK.

Roger Fitton, a partner at Winckworth Sherwood Solicitors, observed: "All the regeneration schemes Winckworth Sherwood has advised upon over some years have involved public/private partnerships of some kind – this looks like 'business as usual'."

The prime minister made the announcement in his first major speech since succeeding Gordon Brown on May 11th 2010.