Housing

3 Cities and 3 Counties - Derby, Leicester and Nottingham

3 Cities and 3 Counties - Derby, Leicester & Nottingham

 "Our vision is to harness "The Power of Three" to fulfil the economic potential of the 3 Cities as locations for growth in the Knowledge Economy, in so doing increasing the contribution the Tri-City Region makes to regional and national economic growth and prosperity".

"The Power of Three", Tri-City Region Development Programme and Business Case, 21 September 2006.

"Our designation as a new growth point will help us to realise this vision. We will maximise the complementary offer of our cities and connected hinterlands, our central location and the strong quality of life offer we share.  We will provide a more cohesive and connected choice of communities for enterprise, residence and culture - to deliver the attractive housing, great quality of life and ample opportunities demanded by sustainable, cohesive and employed communities.  We are delighted that Government supports our ambition".

Councillor Roger Blackmore, Leader of Leicester City Council.
On behalf of the leaders of Leicestershire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire.

The relationship between the Derby, Leicester and Nottingham conurbations is a unique, complex and interdependent one.  Three of the fifteen largest cities in England are located within 30 miles of each other. Substantial numbers of people travel between them for work, shopping, education and culture.
 
The Tri-City Region forms the economic core of the East Midlands Region and is recognised as a planning sub area within the Regional Economic and Spatial Strategies. The area could, and should, be even more productive and economically successful.

Working together across cities, counties and district planning authorities gives them a co-ordinated and sustainable approach to planning for housing growth in a way which complements economic growth as well as transport and community planning and therefore delivers the most added value for the East Midlands Region. The plan-led approach prioritises growth into the cities and large urban centres where community and transport infrastructure already exists. In doing so they will deliver housing growth that supports their economic ambitions while safeguarding the quality of life offer they are so proud of in their region.

In supporting the 3 Cities & 3 Counties as a New Growth Point, the Government is entering into a long-term partnership with the 3 City Councils and 3 County Councils, recognising their ambitions for free-standing economic connectivity and community growth, subject to the statutory regional and local planning process. 

Local partners' ambitions for the 3 Cities include:

  • an additional 81,500 homes by 2016, which will include affordable and family-friendly housing
  • regeneration and provision of local community facilities to bring many more people and families back to live in the city centres
  • a Regional Riverside Corridor covering the Rivers Derwent, Soar and Trent and their tributaries, protecting wildlife and making the countryside more accessible for recreation
  • a new park connecting Derby city centre with the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site
  • a sustainable urban extension to the south of Nottingham
  • an exemplar new low environmental impact settlement at Ashton Green in Leicester, using its own renewable energy, minimising water use and waste generation, and reducing the need to travel
  • improving connectivity and public transport within and between the 3 Cities, including schemes to improve links to Nottingham East Midlands Airport
  • the highest standards of design, construction and maintenance for new buildings, green space, public streets and open spaces

Levels of growth will be subject to comprehensive testing and public consultation through the regional and local planning processes to ensure that individual proposals are sustainable, acceptable environmentally and realistic in terms of infrastructure. For the 3 Cities and 3 Counties future work will include addressing issues of sewerage capacity, using Strategic Flood Risk Assessments where necessary to inform locations of growth, further planning to enhance and integrate Green Infrastructure, and working with the Department for Transport to assess the impacts of growth proposals on the transport network and to develop sustainable transport solutions. 

Achieving these ambitions will depend on a range of public and private funding programmes, including developer contributions. Government is committing to work with local partners to achieve sustainable growth to get the best outcomes from this investment and to help overcome obstacles to delivery. In support of the 3 Cities' and 3 Counties' growth ambitions Government is allocating around £5.48m in 2007-08 from the first year's funding pot, subject to detailed negotiation and appraisal. Future funding is dependent upon the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review in 2007.

For further information on the 3 Cities and 3 Counties' proposals please contact John Bloxsom at Leicester City Council on 0116 2527256 or email: john.bloxsom@leicester.gov.uk

As a new Growth Point the 3 Cities and 3 Counties aim to build around 81,500 homes by 2016. Of these, around 9,800 would be at Derby, 18,400 at Nottingham and 17,800 at Leicester. 

Related downloads

Do you need help viewing file formats?

Energy performance certificates for new homes

Read about our guidance on energy performance for new homes.

Have your say

My favourites