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Partnership

Unlocking opportunities for the Severn Regional Growth Zone Rivers Severn, Wye, Teme and Warwickshire Avon River Severn Partnership

Welcome to the River Severn Partnership. A transformational partnership bringing together multiple organisations, resources and skills to drive resilient and sustainable economic growth along Britain’s longest river network, creating the Severn Regional Growth Zone.

We recognise the unique role We are all faced with significant Our integrated masterplan for the of this river network both as a challenges from natural events such Severn Regional Growth Zone wonderful natural asset but also as as flooding and drought which are will create a strong platform for the foundation and indeed catalyst increasing with climate change. certainty, growth and stability. It will for resilience and wellbeing. Policy implications around leaving also enable us to better protect and the European Union will mean we enhance the natural environment for It is well known for its beautiful need greater reliance on good the future. historic riverside locations, World regional agricultural performance Heritage river-based assets, four and food production. And of course We have the vision, commitment Areas of Outstanding Natural we have an urgent need to bounce and evidence of opportunity and Beauty, strong agricultural back from the Covid-19 pandemic. now need £9.7 million to develop base dependent on the water an integrated masterplan and environment, and the multiple tourist We recognise we are at a investment plan that enables the attractions driven by the river, not turning point. We need a new, Partnership to act, unlocking the least the . truly collaborative approach with potential of the region. Government which provides the The river network impacts on us catalyst to enable us to build back This investment will identify capital all, both directly and indirectly, but better, ensure infrastructure works projects and programmes worth is fundamentally the one thing that harder to deliver more and that we in the order of £1 billion which will binds us all together. Harnessing harness the wealth of academic and deliver benefits in excess of this uniting strength, we believe the innovation opportunities that this £100 billion GVA over the next River Severn Partnership offers a functional area provides. 20 years. huge opportunity. “The River Severn Partnership is a unique and exciting collaboration of partners working together to achieve shared outcomes. As Chairman of the ReWyre Board I recognise the immense opportunity this project offers to act as a catalyst to drive further economic growth along the entire geography of the

Mike Grimes Mark Barrow partnership area.” River Severn Partnership Joint Chair and Area Director River Severn Partnership Joint Chair and Executive Director of Place Council Neil Morris, Commercial Director, OGL Computer Services Group and Chairman of ReWyre Board 1 | River Severn Partnership 2 | River Severn Partnership The Opportunity Outcomes

Our partnership creates a platform for year-on-year sustainable economic By 2040 in growth that is underpinned by a strategic approach to water management. excess of 1372ha £1.8Bn 47,200 £46.Bn £100 billion of new housing direct economic new homes indirect economic in GVA uplift land released benefit from housing over 20 years benefit from housing Housing We have completed a Not only will land be made available Benefits from our integrated comprehensive, holistic review for growth through a programme infrastructure programme across the across the economy of the counties of integrated infrastructure, but Severn Regional Growth Zone will 687ha £38.Bn of further land released for of direct economic who are existing partners in the confidence in investment in the include: non-residential development - benefit from new River Severn Partnership. region will be strengthened. £280M of uplifted land value commercial space µµ The direct benefit of bringing more Commercial There are close to 600,000 people We will harness the unique than 2,000 ha of land back into living in major settlements along the attributes of Britain’s longest river use to promote economic growth 120K £4Bn length of the rivers contributing network, including its heritage and across all sectors of the economy. 121,000 jobs GVA from a combined annual GVA of recreational assets, its diverse created construction µµ Direct economic benefits Jobs £30.8 billion. habitats and its climate adaptation generated by the major potential as a heat and cooling infrastructure programme of We believe that it is possible to bring resource. works itself. an additional 36,000ha of land 34,000ha £1Bn back into economic contribution The wider local, regional, national, µµ Indirect benefits created by of agricultural land released - existing natural increased investment and £800M uplifted land value capital directly adjoining the rivers to indeed the overarching societal Agriculture and investor/developer confidence contribute to economic growth rising economic benefits far outweigh the , Environment to an additional £11.16 billion of investment in infrastructure projects resulting from flood risk GVA per annum. needed to create these sustainable certainty. This will accelerate the £9M £12M development and delivery of new Additional average annual GVA losses from growth conditions. GVA losses with climate change flooding to target We can demonstrate how our projects planned by all partners in Flooding ambition for growth is enabled by the River Severn Partnership. integrated planning and delivery µµ Improvements across the board of infrastructure to manage winter in terms of local community £600M flooding and summer droughts. performance driven through wellbeing gain greater health, wellbeing and Wellbeing prosperity outcomes. Alongside the national ambitions to boost productivity and level up growth, this infrastructure investment could 2997 positively impact on 27 out of the 46 apprentice and Welsh Government National Indicators re-training roles for , highlighting the cross border Education joint working potential and value. 3 | River Severn Partnership 4 | River Severn Partnership River Severn Partnership Our Vision

The Severn Regional Growth Zone presents an unprecedented opportunity for Government to capitalise on an established union of partners with a shared ambition for resilient growth.

Our Vision: to make the Severn Catchment Britain’s most vibrant and resilient river network; where an exceptional quality of life, prosperous local economies and an outstanding natural environment is driven by a programme of innovation to reduce flood risk, secure water resources and improve and deliver shared natural assets.

In the context of the Climate The region suffers significant and Our integrated masterplan for the Emergency, the challenges and recurring flooding, most recently Severn Regional Growth Zone will opportunities presented by leaving in February 2020, as well as water identify an accelerated programme the European Union and the resource challenges to support of integrated water management pressing need for a green recovery agriculture and other sectors, both infrastructure which will address from Covid-19, by working together, of which will be exacerbated under constraints and target areas of we will realise a £11.4 billion GVA future climates. mutual benefits across housing, per annum uplift. energy, transport, agriculture and In addition, as a rural economy, the other sectors. This will be achieved by delivering region faces challenges around a programme of enabling, water low levels of productivity, and how In turn, the delivery of our management infrastructure. This to unleash the full potential of our masterplan will unlock the potential will unlock existing and new people and communities to thrive. of the Severn Regional Growth Zone, opportunities for growth, enhance In addressing these challenges, the creating resilient and vibrant places “The River Severn Partnership represents a truly exciting and natural assets and improve habitat Partnership will move from reactive to live, work and enjoy. innovative opportunity to provide a long term programme of skills development and biodiversity. risk management to proactive asset management, recognising the The River Severn Partnership in water management. I can see the Partnership acting as a significant catalyst The Severn region has a long history positive role of the river network. integrates delivery around climate for apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships and other learning. The impact and of growth which has traded on the resilience, Local Industrial Strategy reach of this work could well lead to a national transformation of skills in water river network, from historic riverside We support an holistic, ecosystem ambitions and key objectives of the locations, industrial heritage, diverse approach to resilient place based 25 Year Environment Plan, management. This represents a really important response to the climate change agriculture, and important tourism growth which provides a strong well-being goals of Wales and agenda and towards achieving the UN SDGs in building capacity for dealing with assets. The river network, however, foundation for environmental United Nations Sustainable water related issues, such as flooding and drought.” also poses many challenges. resilience and collaboration. Development Goals.

Professor David Proverbs, City University 5 | River Severn Partnership 6 | River Severn Partnership Environment

Key themes Our region has a unique system Agriculture of natural landscapes, Areas of We will create accelerator hubs Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Flooding and drought for skills and innovation which incredible habitats. Enhancing support the agri-tech industry as the natural capital which is the We can reduce the estimated we leave the European Union, foundation for our region and its £230 million of annual damages helping to promote sustainable prosperity, we will showcase low to infrastructure and protect better local, regional and national carbon infrastructure options the health and livelihoods of the food security. and create accessible country people who live in our region. parks and wetlands that promote Through a focus on water at the biodiversity and improved health catchment scale we can manage and wellbeing. both flood and drought in an Housing integrated way, as part of the supply chain, to support resilient Releasing land for development Economy communities and businesses. and providing the integrated A long-term infrastructure led infrastructure the region requires economic plan for the Severn Using the river will support planning authorities to deliver above and beyond Regional Growth Zone will enable We are developing opportunities their existing sustainable housing us to build back better through to leverage the huge positive People aspirations. The right housing mix a green recovery. Integrating potential of the river network will support the diverse workforce water management with other by unlocking land for growth, An accelerated programme of needed to deliver sustainable investments will unlock the project optimising water resources, integrated infrastructure will economic growth. pipeline, reduce barriers to creating jobs, harnessing the create opportunities for everyone, business growth, and create jobs energy of a large aquatic heat creating new skills for the across all sectors. source, supporting transportation future and ensuring health and and providing revenue generation wellbeing across the region. through visitor tourism.

7 | River Severn Partnership 8 | River Severn Partnership Offer and Ask

Our Partnership is innovative, dynamic and collaborative in its approach. We want Government to support and mirror our approach to innovate, accelerate and maximise the potential of the Severn Regional Growth Zone.

Our offer - We will: Flexibility to challenge outdated Act as national pilot and Coalesce sources of funding practices, innovate, and accelerate showcase, focussing on for delivery, by exploring how the delivery of an integrated interdependencies between water, our approach provides uplift and programme of infrastructure. as a key natural asset, and the wider new financing leverage to deliver Empowerment to enable joint delivery of housing, employment, economic growth and prosperity. working between English and Welsh skills, transport and green governments. infrastructure. Provide established local leadership to navigate a green This Government support will: Harness the scale of this recovery from the Covid-19 opportunity to establish the Severn pandemic and our departure from µµ Establish the evidence base that Regional Growth Zone, enabling our the European Union. enables the Partnership, through communities to react to current and its local leaders, to take the future challenges through an holistic Lead collaboration and community masterplan forward into action. participation. and cross-departmental approach. µµ Identify an accelerated programme of activities and Deliver an holistic programme Our ask - We are seeking: integrated infrastructure of integrated infrastructure and Investment of £9.7 million to investments which unlock growth accelerated projects that deliver deliver a place-based integrated across the region. rapid benefit, that are transformative masterplan and business case for µµ Enable us to achieve benefit to in scale and which will be game- the Severn Regional Growth Zone. cost ratios in excess of those that changing for the region. In turn, we anticipate that existing could be achieved by sectors Create system level stewardship investments, and future public and working in isolation. “The River Severn is a one of the major natural assets in the Marches. across Britain’s longest river private investment in a combined µµ Create the governance, network, with a shared commitment c£1 billion integrated programme management and engagement Its contribution and impact on the economy of the Marches has for too long been to delivering environmental and of infrastructure will deliver benefits platform to ensure delivery of the unrecognised. We welcome the setting up of the River Severn Partnership to in excess of £100 billion GVA over biodiversity gains that addresses programme. enable us all to work together to maximise its benefits and put in place measures benefits and risks and provides the the next 20 years. certainty and confidence to unlock to benefit our communities and businesses along the course of the river.” investment. Mandy Thorn MBE DL, Chair, Marches LEP 9 | River Severn Partnership 10 | River Severn Partnership The Severn Regional The Partnership Growth Zone covers an area of 6,000 square miles The Partnership has united local authorities, local enterprise partnerships, water companies, Water Resources West, the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales around a shared vision and common agenda. River Severn Newtown We are a new form of partnership, As our Partnership grows and “We are pleased to be a key partner in Wales Birmingham based on a functional relationship, evolves, we anticipate the the River Severn Partnership. Recent Coventry and unified by the transformational geography of the Severn Regional flooding events have demonstrated opportunities the Severn and Growth Zone will also evolve to the need for a cooperative and River Avon associated network of rivers in the reflect the regional opportunities collaborative approach in reducing region provide. We are committed we create. one of the most devastating impacts Worcester Stratford upon Avon to delivering a series of overarching of climate change on local residents aims for the region. For example, Natural Resources and one of the region’s most important Wales is supporting the Partnership visitor attractions.” Cllr Shaun Davies, We will deliver a long-term through cross border catchment Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council Hay-on-Wye programme which unlocks growth work on the Water Framework “The Severn is at the heart of the by addressing interdependencies Directive, the Water Resources West Ross-on-Wye between water management, partnership (the regional group region covered by Water Resources housing, employment, transport and providing strategic oversight and West. Working collaboratively with other infrastructure delivery. coordination of water resources), the Partnership ensures we can and catchment based approaches collectively achieve our mutual goals ry and ambitions and ensure a truly a We are a structured and to flood risk management. tu Es integrated plan.” rn accountable body which will support Seve the development of a robust and Discussions are now beginning with Richard Blackwell, Director, Water Partners Wider Engagement adaptive masterplan. other key Welsh organisations to Resources West bring them into the partnership. µµ Environment Agency µµ Marches LEP µµ National Farmers Union The Severn Regional Growth Zone “The Partnership puts the natural µµ µµ LEP µµ Homes England occupies a region of strategic environment at the heart of The Severn Regional Growth Zone µµ Council µµ LEP µµ Midlands Connect importance and crucial link decision-making for the mutual currently includes the regions µµ Council µµ between Wales and England, the benefit of the economy, wildlife and µµ Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP supported by the rivers Severn, people, and represents an exemplar µµ Worcestershire County Council µµ Water Resources West µµ Forestry Commission West Midlands, South West and Wye, Teme and Warwickshire Avon, of partnership working and strategic µµ Wychavon District Council µµ Water µµ Dŵr Cymru South East. It seeks to complement reflecting the way these areas systems-thinking. We wholeheartedly µµ Wyre Forest District Council µµ Natural Resources Wales µµ County Council other growth initiatives such as the collaborate to drive growth. Gloucester City Region by helping to support this approach.” µµ District Council µµ Severn Rivers Trust provide resilience and adaptation Matt Whitney, Partnership Manager, µµ Worcester City µµ Local Nature Partnerships Gloucestershire Local to existing environmental risks. µµ Gloucestershire County Council µµ Wildlife Trusts Nature Partnership µµ Borough Council 11 | River Severn Partnership 12 | River Severn Partnership Case for change A new approach

This is a once in a generation opportunity to transform the 6,000 square miles which make up the Severn Regional Growth Zone. The well- worn The Partnership no longer sees growth development and water reactionary management as independent activities undertaken by approach independent organisations. This leads to inefficiencies and ultimately, sub-optimal outcomes. Maintaining the status quo is The partnership is thinking, A bigger, more comprehensive, Our plan proactively deals with the not an option. Conservative potential GVA losses associated working, acting and responding panoramic approach is needed, change needed to rapidly evolve with flooding in the region currently exceed £150 million. differently to the multiple and one that enables us to take full our employment sectors into those diverse challenges the region faces stewardship of our systems; that required for future resilience. We will: at an ever-increasing pace, building enables us to get on the front foot. a stable platform for growth. This will µµ Build additional skills and capacity not only be measured in economic This is not just a response to climate in the agri-tech sector. This will change, but also a recognition of place us at the forefront of UK or prosperity terms, but in enhanced We have individually identified many potential projects, programmes community health, life chances and the seismic shifts resulting from food production. and interventions that are designed to either manage water issues or wellbeing performance. the Covid-19 pandemic and our µµ Use the digital economy as a support growth initiatives in specific areas. Presently, although these Local departure from the European Union. catalyst for change. investments are on a greater scale, their benefits will typically remain interventions We have a growth plan that first We are building a sustainable local. The River Severn Partnership will guarantee that the whole is and foremost respects and long-term programme of measures greater than the sum of the parts and ensure that we do not miss opportunities to deliver more, at greater pace and at less cost. enhances the environment. It that responds to these impacts provides a resilient approach that and enables us to create new respects and capitalises on the opportunities. ‘’Economic recovery packages historic, heritage and landscape should be designed to “build Our partnership area has been hit features that make the Severn back better”. This means doing disproportionately by increases It is only with catchment-wide investment and integrated planning that Regional Growth Zone a beautiful more than getting economies and in unemployment reflecting the we will unlock the full economic growth potential of the region, and the place to live, work and relax and a livelihoods quickly back on their The way forward: large number of self-employed and role the region in-turn can play in supporting other parts of the UK in place of amazing opportunity. feet. Recovery policies also need to Fully-integrated building resilience. By working proactively with the natural environment micro businesses. For Shropshire trigger investment and behavioural system stewardship to manage the risks of extreme events, and maximising the wide-ranging We cannot continue to take a alone, the caseload increase of and strategic delivery changes that will reduce the benefits the river network enables, we can ensure that the collective reactive approach to events that universal credit claims as a result of likelihood of future shocks and economic ambitions of partner organisations are advanced. shape our present and our future. the Covid-19 pandemic was 89%. increase society’s resilience to them The impact of climate change Unemployment claims in April 2020 when they do occur. Central to this indicates this river system could increased by more than 100% as approach is a focus on well-being experience a 850mm increase in compared to April 2019. and inclusiveness.’’ peak river levels over the next 30 years. Annual average GVA OECD Building Back Better: losses could increase by £9 million. A Sustainable, Resilient Recovery after Covid-19: July 2020

13 | River Severn Partnership 14 | River Severn Partnership The projects shown on the map are in various stages of development and Project showcase illustrate the diversity of initiatives the integrated masterplan for the Severn Regional Growth Zone will seek to support. By bringing organisations together The Severn Regional Growth Zone will integrate projects across traditionally to work collaboratively and efficiently, further projects and programmes will be discrete sectors to transform the economy and create vibrant places for identified, developed and delivered. people to enjoy and thrive in. A systems approach to water and environmental management is a fundamental enabler for the region, supporting investments in Projects Economy, People and Place.

˜ Economy ˜ People & Place ˜ Environment 1 Gloucester City regeneration and 20 River based regional park 38 Stourport floodplain meadows resilience 21 Gloucestershire agri-tech hive 39 Severn Thames Transfer 2 Vale of agri-tech water 22 Tewkesbury riverside regeneration 40 Ironbridge World Heritage Site 2 security resilience Shrewsbury 1 23 Worcester Riverside Quarter and 2 3 Town Deal resilience connectivity 41 Shropshire Groundwater Telford 4 Stourport marina Scheme 2 24 River based regional park Welshpool 5 Kidderminster Future High Street 25 Telford Town Deal environmental 42 Shropshire natural flood 2 Ironbridge 2 Fund enhancements management Newtown Wolverhampton 6 A46 trade corridor resilience 26 Future growth (Strine catchment) 43 Herefordshire natural flood Wales England 7 Ironbridge power station smart water 27 Cross border transport route management Birmingham River Severn Coventry 5G test bed resilience 44 catchment 1 8 M54 growth corridor resilience 28 Hereford Town Deal environmental management River Teme Kidderminster 9 Shrewsbury integrated transport and enhancements 45 Worcestershire natural flood 1 River Avon water management 29 Ross on Wye Enterprise Zone management 1 10 Cyber Valley site and connectivity resilience 46 resilience River Wye Worcester 1 Stratford upon Avon resilience 30 Shropshire energy network 47 Severn Ham floodplain Leominster 2 1 11 Hereford Enterprise Zone upgrades meadows 1 Hereford 1 2 resilience 31 Hereford City Centre transport and 48 National Trust and estate owner 2 1 22 Hay-on-Wye 11 2 21 12 tourism water management wetland creation and woodland 12 planting 2 13 Worcestershire Parkway 32 Hereford Riverside Quarter 14 A4440 road improvements 33 market town growth and 49 Wye Catchment Partnership Ross-on-Wye Cheltenham resilience 50 Unlocking the Severn 2 1 15 A40 upgrade and resilience 1 16 growth and 34 market town growth and Gloucester resilience resilience 35 Shrewsbury Big Town Plan - Nurturing Economy 17 A38 connectivity and resilience

y Natural Shrewsbury People Place r 18 A417 connectivty and environmental a u Environment st net gain 36 Worcester City Heart n E ver Se 19 Herefordshire Destination Business 37 Worcester cultural development and Improvement District creative industries

15 | River Severn Partnership 16 | River Severn Partnership Projects Case Study 1

Supporting wider national growth Underpinning sector based growth Joint infrastructure delivery Severn Thames Water Transfer Gloucestershire agri-tech hive Shrewsbury North West Relief Road United Utilities, Severn Trent Water and Thames Gloucestershire aims to create an innovation cluster Water are collaborating to examine the option of a to support a food and agriculture sector valued at The Shrewsbury North West Relief water transfer from the Severn to the Thames. This nearly £1.5 billion. Harnessing the skills and ideas Road will provide a new, single could bring around £1.3 billion of water infrastructure generated through the agri-tech hive will create a carriageway road addressing a investment into the region, and facilitate wider circular economy in food and farming that is good for traffic bottleneck to enable the town economic, environmental and resilience benefits. the planet, sustains natural capital and to develop and grow. The road will improves health. include a new bridge over the River We will: align with Water Resources West, to Severn and its floodplain. develop strategic scale options for integrated water We will: identify ways that water management management infrastructure to deliver resilience in the infrastructure can underpin the resilience and growth We are exploring the potential of region and nationally. aspirations of the agri-tech sector. safely storing high flows upstream of the bridge.

This will enable us to protect existing homes and businesses, Improved Water Quality Unlocking riverside regeneration de-risk developments currently Water quality on the River Wye Worcester City Centre Masterplan proposed and open up new areas for development. Water quality within the River Wye catchment area This is an ambitious 20-year work programme to is a critical environmental issue. The river is a transform the Riverside Quarter in to a destination With the right level of investment, designated Special Area of Conservation and parts for leisure, living and work. An £11 million investment this intervention will also address of its catchment have phosphate levels which already will boost connectivity via a pedestrian cycle bridge issues of sustainable water supply µµ 121ha of urban and suburban land taken exceed the conservation targets required to allow across the River Severn and a new cycle / pedestrian for agriculture in Shropshire, Powys Direct benefits out of flood risk development. connection from Worcester City Centre to Worcester and further down the river network. µµ 30ha of Shropshire Council owned land Urban Extension. The broader Worcester City Centre taken out of flood risk We will: develop innovative solutions which improve Masterplan will deliver £385 million of additional GVA µµ 7 out of 37 publicly owned land parcels water quality and enable sustainable housing growth. per year once fully developed. protected

We will: identify and deliver the enabling water µµ 3 of the top Shropshire businesses protected (combined GVA of £37million) management infrastructure which will unlock new

opportunity zones. µµ Reduction in £4million annual loss of GVA across 291 business

17 | River Severn Partnership 18 | River Severn Partnership Case Study 2 Projects

Attracting Investment Net Zero Carbon Technology and Innovation Tewkesbury, Spring Gardens River Based Regional Parks 5G and AI test bed

Tewkesbury is a historic medieval Discussions are already underway around ambitions Conversations are already underway with private riverside town in Gloucestershire, for a shared regional park creating areas of mixed developers and academic institutions within the region located on two major rivers: The broad leaf woodland, offering the opportunity to to look at the opportunity for test beds and research Severn and the Avon. capture carbon at a rate of 270 tonnes per ha. centres along the river network to harness the power of advances in digital infrastructure, particularly 5G and Market perception in Tewkesbury This creates the potential to offset wider water artificial intelligence. around land values is lower than what infrastructure delivery so that our water management We will: should be expected given its historic work can itself be net zero. build a wider commercial case and a skills nature and location. trading opportunity. Partnership conversations have We will: promote systems based initiatives for already identified novel ideas such as water-based catchment management to reduce flood risk, secure This is due to the risk of flooding Enterprise Zones to help drive innovation forward. water resources, achieve net zero carbon, deliver creating a vulnerability to visual and recreational amenity, and enhance development, not only in the biodiversity. areas directly affected but in surrounding areas, too. This has been demonstrated through the marginal viability of the Spring Gardens project. Resilient Infrastructure Resilience for connectivity This mixed-use regenerative National Centre of Cyber Security Trans Midlands Trade Corridor opportunity in the heart of Tewkesbury Town Centre will secure The River Severn region is setting itself up as a hotbed The Trans Midlands Trade Corridor is one the country’s transformational community change, Direct benefits µµ £124.7 million of economic and social of innovation in nationally and internationally significant most important trade routes connecting major towns strengthen the High Street, provide value research fields, including Cyber Valley which is and cities including Tewkesbury, Stratford-upon-Avon, new jobs and opportunity, attract µµ £49 million NPV wider economic benefit focused on becoming the UK’s largest cluster of cyber- Coventry, Leicester, Nottingham, Lincoln, Grimsby families and young people to the (over 30 years) tech and digital activity outside . and Hull. town and deliver major economic µµ 214 new jobs and apprenticeships benefit to Tewkesbury. We will: build flood resilience at key sites, such as the We will: continue conversations with Midlands created £9 million centre of excellence located at Hereford’s Connect around aligning work and building Skylon Park alongside the River Wye. climate resilience into strategic transport schemes, simultaneously meeting connectivity, flood risk and

wider climate adaptation agendas.

19 | River Severn Partnership 20 | River Severn Partnership River Severn Partnership Taking the Masterplan Forward Our Plan

We have put in place the structures, tools and systems to develop a Our plan accelerates the delivery of key infrastructure to ensure our masterplan comprehensive masterplan and unlock economic potential. We need a truly provides immediate benefit. Integrated programmes of infrastructure will unlock collaborative approach with Government which enables us to build back better, efficiencies that enable rapid growth. to drive resilient and sustainable growth along Britain’s longest river network.

2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Checklist • Governance • Identification • Preferred options • Business case • Maintaining We have a structured and accountable body with the right partnership and governance arrangements to framework of programme development finalisation accelerated and support the development of a robust and adaptive masterplan. Our partners have access to a number of • Baselining elements • Finance and • Programme delivery agile programme delivery frameworks presenting opportunities for savings through efficient procurement and delivery. (economy, health, • Option appraisal funding, approvals planning delivery energy, water, • Focus on innovation • Skills strategies

natural capital) clusters and skills Our partners have made an early capital financial commitment of £300,000 and invested extensive • Sustainability development resources to developing the strategic vision for the Severn Regional Growth Zone. Task appraisal • Finance and funding, approvals Government funding of £9.7 million, including an initial £1 million, is required to unlock this growth planning potential, to enable the Partnership to develop a comprehensive masterplan, supported by a business case for its delivery. Our focus will be on diversifying sources of infrastructure investment by exploring how water management across the river network provides new financing leverage. • Initial business • Programme • Strategic • Programme • Programme delivery A Severn Regional Growth Zone business case will show how different opportunities have been case complete of accelerated programme delivery • Trading our • Existing asset projects, ready for of integrated • A focus on whole research and skills evaluated, set out how the preferred projects and priorities in the masterplan will be delivered and funded, enhancement delivery infrastructure, of region, systems explain the outcomes they will deliver and detail how partners will be mobilised to achieve them. • A focus on key • Integrated delivery ready for delivery driven schemes projects for mechanisms With an immediate investment of £1 million, we have identified a programme that will see delivery of a acceleration with partner Strategic Outline Case in 2020. Our first task will be to finalise governance and agree the programmes implementation approach. We will then undertake a phased approach of collating baseline evidence Outcome that will be used to identify and compare delivery opportunities. This will inform the prioritised list of investments justified in a Strategic Outline Case. We will ensure ongoing engagement - working closely with communities, businesses, universities and other organisations - throughout the development of the integrated masterplan.

21 | River Severn Partnership 22 | River Severn Partnership 3 Contact

Hayley Deighton Programme Manager [email protected]

River Severn Partnership