[Itenv] Sustainable Construction

[martin charter]

EXCUSE ANY CROSS POSTINGS

SUSCON: WORLD CLASS FACILITY TO DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NORTH KENT GROWTH
AREA

SEEDA has granted £156,000 to SUSCON, a new world class project to
accelerate North Kent's and regional sustainable economic development.

The money is for a feasibility study and will be used to research and plan
the SUSCON project, led by Kent County Council in partnership with other
agencies, including Kent Thameside Board, Business Link Kent, key
Universities, the Kent Architecture Centre, Kent Design, Environment
Agency, Countryside Agency and leading private sector interests.

(tbc) Pam McHale, (Area Director for Kent & Medway) of the South East of
England Development Agency (SEEDA) states:

'We are very pleased to support the project development and master planning
of SUSCON. This ambitious Centre will be geared to drive sustainable
enterprise acceleration. By April 2007 the viability of setting up a SUSCON
Centre, sited in North Kent, will be fully tested. Over the next 6 months a
clear vision and masterplan specification for a unique physical project
will be brought together. SUSCON will be designed to meet the specific
needs of public and commercial interests and, crucially, to demonstrate the
full scale of capacity, investment and action to deliver on Regional
Economic Strategy objectives'

The creation of SUSCON will be launched on 16th of November at the
Sustainable Enterprise Acceleration (SEA-Change) Summit to be held at the
Dartford Bridge Hilton. This event will act as a platform to bring together
leading decision makers, businesses and practitioners in the design and
development of SUSCON. The event will be hosted in Kent Thameside, a major
growth area in the Thames Gateway. The Kent Thameside Delivery Board is a
lead partner in the project and is already working to deliver a legacy of
high quality, distinctive and sustainable development for the area. 

However, the capacity of North Kent's supply chain to deliver on the
growing expectations for North Kent is untested. The SUSCON centre will set
out means to achieve solutions for delivering:

·       eco-build solutions and sustainable technology, products and
materials;
·       new skills in trades/professions and in site based provision; 
·       innovative solutions to both reduce the environmental impact of new
 development but also enhance economic, social and environmental values in
the long term;
·       new methods of advanced manufacturing & modern construction,
including Design Excellence;

(tbc) Sir Sandy Bruce Lockhart, Chairman of the Kent Thameside Board
comments:

'The SUSCON Centre project will incorporate a new skills academy for modern
construction methods; two world class R&D innovation laboratories embracing
advanced manufacturing and eco-build solutions; a sustainable enterprise
park and a showcase visitor attraction. Together these will drive market
development and the supply chain necessary to generate a sustainable Kent
Thameside.'
 

(tbc) Roger Gough, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration
adds;

'Sustainable design and innovation is now the mainstream; it defines the
'leading edge' of new economic activity. Projects like SUSCON can ensure
market recognition for Kent and the South East of England. I am convinced
that SUSCON is the dynamic delivery vehicle to 'fast track' economic led
regeneration that many government agencies are looking for and will be of
enormous value to Kent.'

SUSCON will drive the Sustainable Future Industries sector as sectors and
markets in the UK economy shift towards achieving sustainability,
economically, socially and environmentally. 


Notes to Editors

Kent Thameside is strategically positioned as a major growth area in the
Thames Gateway.   The development of around 25,000 new homes and 50,000 new
jobs on large brownfield sites such as Ebbsfleet, Eastern Quarry,
Northfleet and the Swanscombe Peninsular presents a golden opportunity to
deliver on sustainable development.  

SUSCON: new flagship project, will build a stronger foundation for
contemporary design, new skills, innovation and modern infrastructure that
will underpin long term employment opportunities and economic
competitiveness.

To find out more about the SUSCON project and to learn more about the
significant challenges Kent Thameside faces, stakeholders will be invited
to a major Sustainable Enterprise Acceleration (SEA-Change) Summit to be
held at the Dartford Bridge Hilton on 16th November 2006. This event will
act as a platform to launch SUSCON. This event will also, through applied
workshops, address critical delivery issues for Kent Thameside including:
·       capacity building and investment;
·       master planning & design excellence;
·       low carbon neutral development;
·       world class innovation on advanced manufacturing and modern
construction;
·       developing a skills academy for modern construction methods and
eco-build solutions; ecological and sustainable community development.

For more information on SUSCON or to take part in the SEA Change Event
contact Kent County Council on 01622 221866  or email Kent
Foresight at kent.gov.uk.