New UDC needs to offer Thurrock a lasting future

The new urban development corporation in Thurrock is a great opportunity to regenerate the area, but it must commit to sustainability, says Anne Cheale. The creation of an Urban Development Corporation (UDC) in Thurrock, one of the Thames Gateway's key growth areas, presents a golden opportunity to transform the quality of life of the borough's residents. Thurrock Council's Conservative Group, then in opposition, therefore supported the establishment of the UDC when it was first proposed last February, but not without reservations concerning the depth of its commitment to sustainability.