Kent News - Malik says Sheppey set to boom as recession lifts

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Friday, September 3 2010, 6:53

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Malik says Sheppey set to boom as recession lifts

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The minister tried a digger for size

Mr Malik learned some boxing moves

The group accompanying minister on tour

The Isle of Sheppey is set to forge ahead in prosperity when the global recession receeds, according to a leading Government minister.

Shahid Malik MP, Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, visited the island last week in order to see the first stages of the planned regeneration of the area, Yourswale reports.

He was in the Queenborough and Rushenden area where a long-awaited road is under construction, 2,000 new homes are set to be built and new jobs created by the construction of a supermarket distribution centre.

The plans are being overseen by the South East England Development Agency but are also backed by the private sector and local and national government.

Mr Malik said: “The Isle of Sheppey is extremely well placed in the long term and once we see the global downturn in the economy evaporate the area will really be able to take advantage.

“The regeneration which is currently taking place will be of great benefit to the area and the people who live here in the coming years.”

Among the projects in place are the construction
of the Rushenden Relief Road – which has been called for by locals for 30 years – to open up the area for industry, as well as ease traffic congestion.

The supermarket chain Aldi say around 250 new jobs will be created by a major new distribution centre at Neats Court, while property company Amicus Horizon say up to 300 new jobs will be created when they open a new centre.

Mr Malik also had a go at driving a digger and was shown some boxing moves at a community centre.

He said the regeneration projects were an example to the UK on how to take the right approach.

“In some cases regeneration projects are planned in an office and no-one has too much confidence in them,” he said.

“But here the process has been different. Locals have been involved right from the start and can now see their fingerprints on the blueprint for the future.

“When details of a meeting about the area’s future were released around 1,000 people turned up and got involved.

“It says much for the area that the level of interest
and commitment was so high and to be honest I am not sure that anywhere else in the country could match that.

“What we are seeing here is a great example of how the public and private sectors, and local and national government, can work together for the good of everyone.”

Last week Yourswale revealed plans to vastly increase the size and capacity of the Port of Sheerness, which Mr Malik commented on.

“If people believe in the future they can succeed,” he said. “Who would have thought seven or eight years ago the Isle of Sheppey would be where it is now?”

POSTED: 30/09/2009 12:00:00

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