Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Stockton - Middlesbrough Initiative

The Stockton Middlesbrough Initiative is a partnership aimed at focussing long-term regeneration on the town centres of Stockton and Middlesbrough and the river corridor that links them, dubbed the Green Blue Heart (GBH).

The vision for SMI is one of an area which is more competitive as a result of Middlesbrough and Stockton acting together rather than separately, an area which performs at the national average rate of economic performance based around an outstanding city-scale environment with a productive, confident workforce.

SMI was recognised within the Tees Valley Vision as one of three spatial development priorities (alongside the Coastal Arc Initiative and Darlington Gateway) which together with five Tees Valley Regeneration flagship projects would provide the catalyst for the acceleration of the renaissance of the Tees Valley.

The economic regeneration potential and priority of these key programmes has been subsequently acknowledged through their inclusion within the Northern Way Growth Strategy, the Regional Economic Strategy, the Regional Spatial Strategy, and the Tees Valley City Region Business Case and Investment Programme.

The over-arching concept for the Initiative is to promote connectivity and critical mass between the existing town centres focusing on the creation of a high-quality, distinctive landscape at the heart of the Tees Valley City Region.

The two authorities will continue to work together and other strategic partners to develop the Initiative to achieve a significant step change to the urban renaissance of the Tees Valley.

The key strategic priorities for SMI as agreed and supported by One North East are the development of vibrant town centres linked to an outstanding city-scale riverside environment through a number of physical regeneration and infrastructure initiatives, the transformation of the riverside corridor between Stockton and Middlesbrough through the Green Blue Heart, creating a modern, eco friendly development and to transform local and external perceptions of the area by working alongside partners to build more confidence within the local community and to achieve more positive media coverage and through a year-round calendar of high-profile events.

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• Stockton Middlesbrough Initiative