Eric Pickles challenged to hand back millions on visit to Telford
[gallery] Minister Eric Pickles was today challenged to hand over millions of pounds the government has made from selling off land in Telford.
Tory Mr Pickles today took a tour of the £250 million Southwater development following an invitation from Telford Labour MP David Wright.
Mr Wright is backing Telford & Wrekin Council's campaign for a percentage of cash the Homes and Communities Agency receives for land it sells in the borough.
Most of the land in Telford sold for large developments is owned by the government, not the council.
It means millions of pounds made by land sales goes into a national pot rather than directly benefiting people in Telford.
Lawley housing development, the Millennium Community in Ketley and many of the town's industrial estates were all sold to developers for tens of millions of pounds.
They were owned by the HCA, which inherited the sites from Telford Development Corporation and its successor the New Towns Commission.
It meant all money made went to the Government rather than returned to the communities where it was generated.
Mr Wright said: "We are making a clear statement about where we are going and what we want to achieve.
"This is a win-win for the Government – it's about an area grasping the nettle to stimulate growth and jobs, which will in turn will generate much needed extra income for the Treasury."
After touring the Southwater shops and leisure development, Mr Pickles said he was "ecstatic" at what was being done but could not promise that the council would win its bid for a share of the HCA cash.
He said: "These things are done on a value for money basis. I can't make any promises but I am ecstatic at what is being done here.
"The HCA money will be divided up and we are looking for areas doing growth projects. Telford & Wrekin has put a bid in."
Today's visit followed a direct invitation made to Mr Pickles earlier this year in the House of Commons by Mr Wright.
Southwater is scheduled to open to the public next spring and will include an 11 screen IMAX Cineworld, a hotel, restaurants and bars. There will also be a new multi storey car park, library and the Southwater One community building.
Mr Pickles, who was shown around by Telford's Labour leader Councillor Kuldip Sahota said: "This is moving from a shopping centre to a proper vibrant town centre.
"I am looking forward to coming back and going to the Imax cinema and to Wagamama's with Kuldip."
Councillor Sahota praised Mr Pickles for visiting the town, adding: "Our pitch to the Secretary of State today was simple – this is about jobs, jobs and jobs.
"We are being urged to find new solutions to the financial challenges we face and we are doing something about this.
"Our focus on growth is part of a radical solution that will help both the borough and the Government by generating extra income for both. We demonstrated to the Secretary of State that we are a forward-thinking authority that is not dwelling on the need for cuts but instead we are concentrating on stimulating investment, growth and creating jobs. The perfect way to illustrate all that was to take Mr Pickles around the Southwater development."
Graham Wynn, chairman of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, said: "The council was today keen to demonstrate to Mr Pickles how the creation of a growth fund and incentives such as business rate discounts, can help underline Telford's position as the fastest growing town in the Midlands and a competitive location for businesses."
