Government approves transfer of council's assets

The asset transfers include The Crown, a once popular nightspot now fallen into disrepair

A multi-million pound package of council assets will be transferred to a town's mayoral development corporation following government approval.

Communities Secretary Michael Gove has approved the transfer of Middlesbrough's bus station, along with docks, car parks and buildings.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said the decision allowed the Middlesbrough Development Corporation (MDC) to press ahead with regeneration plans.

MDC's creation was opposed by the town's MP Andy McDonald, who said it represented a "serious denial of democracy".

In June 2023, MDC became the local planning authority for parts of the town centre and Middlehaven.

A similar corporation was also established in Hartlepool.

Mr Houchen said the MDC, operated by the mayoral-led Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), would help to cut red tape and speed up redevelopment of neglected areas of the town centre.

But its creation was resisted, with 16 Labour members of Middlesbrough Council voting against the idea in February 2023 and referring to the MDC as a "smash and grab" of local powers.

Shortly afterwards Mr Gove, the secretary of state for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, intervened and lent his support to the development corporation.

Transfers agreed

Mr Gove has now confirmed his decision to agree the transfer of £14.7m of public assets to MDC.

They include:

• Car parks on Station Street, Amber Street, Buxton Street and the former Jury's Inn

• Units under the A66 along Wilson Street

• The Crown pub

• Civic Centre

• Broadcasting House Enterprise Centre

• Middlesbrough bus station

• Middlehaven, Middlesbrough dock and surrounding land

He also gave the nod for assets to be transferred from Hartlepool's council to the Hartlepool Development Corporation, including the council-owned civic centre and mothballed magistrates' court.

Lawyers in his department are now drafting schemes to effect the transfers.

In a letter to Mr Houchen, Mr Gove said the decision was taken in recognition of his "ongoing commitment to continuing to make progress on governance reforms in the Combined Authority and Mayoral Development Corporations which we both support”.

Mr Houchen said the move allowed MDC to "get on with creating jobs, regenerating neglected areas and making Middlesbrough a town we can be proud of".

He added: "I am pleased we can now move on with delivering the long overdue improvements that are so badly needed.”

Middlesbrough Council has been contacted for comment.