Growth in the Thames Estuary: Open for business, but make sure you do it fairly!

14.11.24 | Written by Osman Dervish

The opportunity

The Thames Estuary, one of the UK’s most important economic regions, has been on a journey of regeneration for decades. Home to a rich history of trade, industry, and innovation, the Estuary is poised to be supercharged for sustainable growth. The Thames Estuary Growth Commission’s 2050 vision is to create:

1.3 million new jobs

£190 million GVA

1 million new homes.

One of the key bodies helping to achieve this is the Thames Estuary Growth Board working across the private and public sectors.

They have recently published their “Five Point Plan for Fair Growth and Investment” which provides a roadmap to ensure that economic expansion benefits both businesses and local communities.

A copy of the plan can be found here.

Why Fair Growth is important

Fair growth is essential for ensuring that economic development benefits everyone, especially in regions like the Thames Estuary, which face significant socio-economic challenges.

While the area has experienced impressive growth—such as a 24% increase in jobs and 62% growth in businesses over the last decade—many local communities continue to face barriers like high living costs, inadequate housing, especially access to affordable housing, and limited access to opportunities.

The focus on fairness through equity, rather than simple equality, is key.

It acknowledges that people have different needs and starting points in life, and tailored support is necessary to ensure everyone can thrive.

By addressing issues like historic injustice, mobility, and the changing nature of work, the Thames Estuary’s growth plan emphasises the importance of creating a more inclusive and resilient economy.

Don’t just “do growth” to existing communities

There are ambitious goals for economic growth in the Thames Estuary, but its true success will depend on seeing growth for all.

This can only be achieved through active community involvement. Engaging with local communities is critical to ensuring that the benefits of growth are felt fairly and equitably. Too often, local communities feel that development is “done to them” rather than led by them.

Before putting pen to paper, establishing an inclusive design process that allows for meaningful community input into development is critical.

Cratus recommends this process to all of our clients through early sentiment surveys taken with the existing community to understand what they love about where they live and what they need.

As the Thames Estuary and the country look to a period of growth, early community engagement and understanding of challenges facing people is critical to achieve success where all have the opportunity to benefit.