New Growth Board to accelerate Peterborough city centre transformation

New Growth Board to accelerate Peterborough city centre transformation

The next chapter in Peterborough’s transformation is set to begin after partners have agreed to establish the new Peterborough City Centre Growth Board. 

The Growth Board will bring together local and national organisations to accelerate regeneration, attract investment and unlock the city’s full potential. 

At the heart of the programme is an ambitious long-term vision, aligned with the region’s Local Growth Plan. 

This builds on major investments, including the £65 million Station Quarter programme, the continued expansion of ARU Peterborough and the new city leisure centre, signalling a new era of growth and opportunity. 

Meeting for the first time in autumn, the Board will unite the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Peterborough City Council and Homes England, with the Mayor working in partnership with Peterborough City Council Leadership and the Government to drive forward the city’s regeneration programme  

By coordinating major investments and creating a single vision for the city centre, the partnership will help deliver new homes, jobs, commercial opportunities and high-quality public spaces, while attracting further public and private investment. 

Peterborough has been identified as a Fast Growth City Opportunity Zone in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Growth Plan, recognising its potential to become one of the country’s leading growth cities. 

The new Growth Board provides the leadership needed to ensure regeneration projects work together, creating a city centre that is greater than the sum of its parts. 

It will also develop a shared long-term vision for Peterborough city centre, strengthen the city’s investment proposition and support future delivery arrangements, including the potential creation of a Mayoral Development Corporation, working with the Mayor to explore the most effective delivery model for the future. 

The establishment of the Peterborough City Centre Growth Board marks a new phase of collaboration and delivery, with local leaders helping to drive momentum at pace, creating the leadership needed to transform the city centre and secure Peterborough’s future as one of the UK’s fastest-growing cities. 

Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, said: 

“Peterborough has spent too long talking about its potential. Now it’s time to unlock it. 

“This Growth Board isn’t another talking shop. It’s about getting the right people around the table to remove barriers, back good ideas and get things done.  

“Peterborough has momentum, political alignment and a clear plan. The challenge now is to turn that into delivery. 

“The Growth Board is the next step. It will bring partners together and lay the foundations for a future Mayoral Development Corporation, giving Peterborough the tools it needs to unlock investment and deliver regeneration at scale. 

“Growth only matters if people feel the benefits in their everyday lives. My priority is getting Cambridgeshire and Peterborough growing to make people healthier, happier and wealthier. That’s what success will look like for Peterborough.” 

Councillor Shabina Qayyum, leader of Peterborough City Centre, said:  

“The Growth Board brings all key partners who have an investment in city’s future around one table and with a common purpose. 

“We will work together to ensure we are laser focussed on how to deliver our plans and build the momentum that our city needs to benefit to drive forwards with large scale regeneration at speed. 

“The work that this board will achieve will be felt across the city for many generations and will benefit the city in terms of providing better homes, more wealth and a city that is designed with the prosperity of its residents firmly in mind.” 

Vicky Savage, Executive Regional Director for London and the East, Homes England, said: 

“The new Peterborough City Centre Growth Board provides the foundation for collaboration together with partners to turn the vision of place into reality.    “Through our Strategic Place Partnership with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Homes England will continue to work closely with local leaders and wider partners to use our expertise and resources to help turn the vision for Peterborough into delivery, for the creation of new homes, jobs, and thriving places for residents old and new.”