News / Politics
Bristol area’s first Mayoral Development Zone is ‘ambitious vision for future’
There’s a new acronym in town: MDZ.
What is an MDZ? An MDZ is a Mayoral Development Zone which involves – in the words of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority – “non-statutory designations made by a Mayor to focus effort on a priority regeneration area, providing the vision, oversight, direction and enablers to unlock housing and economic growth delivery, and to leverage in inward investment”.
The West of England’s first MDZ will encompass Brabazon on the former Filton Airfield and the ‘West Innovation Arc’ stretching between north Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
West of England mayor Helen Godwin announced her intention to establish her MDZ at an investment conference in Leeds.
“It’s time to make the most of devolution and more quickly deliver the right homes in the right places, to help tackle the housing crisis,” said Godwin.
“Our region’s first Mayoral Development Zone designation will be a major moment in making that vision a reality, and realising our enormous and exciting further potential as a place.
“Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc is already the fastest-growing part of the country’s fastest-growing regional economy, something we’ve been showcasing this week with investors.
“We have so much to be proud of across the area shortlisted to become one of the government’s new towns, with our new Bristol Brabazon train station opening later this year ahead of the new Aviva Arena.
“Working together, this part of the West of England – with the right transport investment to connect the Science Park, Bristol Parkway station and Brabazon – can deliver 40,000 new homes and the same number of new jobs over the longer-term.”
Bristol Brabazon railway station is due to open in the autumn – photo: WECA
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said an MDZ will give the West of England “an ambitious vision for the future” with housing secretary Steve Reed saying the zone “will make a huge difference to people’s lives”.
Godwin’s deputy mayor, Bristol City Council leader, Tony Dyer, said that designating Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc as an MDZ “is a positive step for our region and for Bristol”.
Dyer added: “It will help unlock the delivery of new homes alongside much‑needed transport infrastructure, improving connections between the north of the city and opportunities in central Bristol and other key growth areas across the West of England.
“I look forward to working closely with the mayor and partners across the West of England including South Gloucestershire as we continue to develop our plans for this area, including the next stages of work towards any future Mayoral Development Corporation.”
There’s another new acronym in town: an MDC.
What is an MDC? According to the Institute for Government, an MDC is another statutory body that can be set up by regional mayors in England to deliver regeneration and development.
One crucial aspect here is that MDCs “can deliver new settlements and developments on greenfield sites” and can also be granted specific powers such as taking on planning duties from local authorities, and powers to make compulsory purchases of land or assets.
Main photo: WECA
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