Site updated 06-05-06

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT GUIDANCE

ODPM Principal Aims

A principal aim is to maximise UK participation in three of the four IIIB Programmes in which the UK has an interest: North Sea (NS), North West Europe (NWE) and Atlantic Area (AA) Programmes. This must be done with quality transnational projects with tangible outcomes measured by outputs which are in line with the main aims and funding priorities of the Programmes, and the relevant regional/territorial planning priorities.

Regional/Territorial Planning Guidance and Regional Planning Priorities

A key consideration for UK project promoters is to ensure that projects take account of Regional Planning Guidance in England and relevant planning frameworks within the Devolved Territories. In addition, the ODPM is keen to see projects that take forward policy priorities identified in the document ‘Sustainable Communities: Building for the Future’.

Promoters must demonstrate how project outputs directly contribute to developing and/or implementing Regional Planning and Sustainable Communities priorities. Larger projects will be expected to contain some investment activities rather than purely studies.

The table below sets out the relevant Regional Planning Documents and Planning Priorities by Region and Territory. It gives a contact name or number in the English Regions and Devolved Administrations where further information can be obtained.

Region/Territory Regional Planning Documents Regional Planning Priorities Contact
East of England click for details click for details mgriib.go-east@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk
or
lkosnetter.go-east@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk
East Midlands click for details click for details mgorman.goem@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk
or
sfothergill@northamptonshire.gov.uk
London click for details click for details hkeen.gol@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk
North East to follow click for details iriley.gone@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk  
or
cburden.gone@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk
North West click for details click for details pbarnes.gonw@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk
South East click for details to follow jpinnell.gose@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk
South West click for details click for details starr.gosw@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk
West Midlands click for details click for details mchaplin.gowm@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk
Yorkshire and the Humber click for details click for details cmarsh.goyh@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk

Project Development - Roles and Responsibilities

The ODPM: The primary role of ODPM is to help create and maintain a suitable framework to facilitate project development activities in the UK. It does not engage directly in the development of individual projects, maintaining a separation of functions between project development and its role in evaluating them and taking part in the Programme Steering Committees which decide the award of ERDF. ODPM does however continue, together with the Secretariats, to promote Programme Priorities through the organisation of ‘themed’ seminars. It maintains an overview of the balance and quality of projects coming forward from UK regions and territories – click here for contact details.

UK Contact Points: The ODPM has appointed four Contact Points to help develop suitable projects in the UK - click here for contact details. They work together with Government Offices, Devolved Administrations, other regional and national stakeholders and the international secretariats to actively promote the development of projects which meet regional planning priorities and respect programme criteria, in particular the need for transnationality. Project Developers should get in touch with the Contact Points for advice concerning their project and for assistance in partner search.

Joint Technical Secretariats: Whilst not part of the formal UK based structures the international Secretariats have a very important role to play in the running of the Programmes. They are bodies appointed to work on behalf of participating states and act as a source of information about the Programmes, their aims and objectives. They provide advice on a range of issues including project development and can assist with international partner search in association with Programme Contact Points. The ODPM and national bodies representing other participating states work in close co-operation with the international Secretariats. Click here for contact details.