Plans to create the West of England’s first Mayoral Development Zone (MDZ) have received backing from both the Chancellor and the Housing Secretary, signalling a major step forward in the region’s approach to housing delivery and economic growth.
The proposed MDZ would cover Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc, spanning South Gloucestershire and north Bristol, and focus development activity on what is already the fastest‑growing part of the country’s fastest‑growing regional economy.
West of England Mayor Helen Godwin unveiled the plans while meeting investors and business leaders, alongside the launch of a £17 billion regional investment prospectus. The announcement comes just weeks after the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Act became law, giving mayors greater powers to drive regeneration and growth.
The Mayor has been clear that she intends to use these powers to accelerate housing delivery and tackle long‑standing constraints on growth. The MDZ announcement follows the region securing its first allocation from the national Brownfield Housing Fund, with £45 million committed to support around 1,500 new homes.
A signal of ambition on housing and growth
Speaking at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum in Leeds, Mayor Godwin confirmed her intention to designate the West of England’s first MDZ, highlighting the scale of opportunity to deliver new homes, jobs and supporting infrastructure in a coordinated way.
The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is already investing heavily in connectivity to support the emerging new town. A £50 million Bristol Brabazon railway station is due to open this autumn, while Bristol Parkway – offering direct mainline services to London – already sits within the proposed zone. Plans are also progressing for a new station at Henbury, further strengthening the area’s transport links.
Mayoral Development Zones are non‑statutory designations that allow mayors to focus leadership, investment and delivery on priority regeneration areas. They provide a framework for unlocking housing and economic growth and attracting inward investment.
In the West of England, the MDZ is intended as a stepping stone towards a statutory Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) for Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc. Any move to establish an MDC would be subject to extensive local and political engagement.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:
"It's time to make the most of devolution and more quickly deliver the right homes in the right places, to help tackle the housing crisis. Our region's first Mayoral Development Zone designation will be a major moment in making that vision a reality, and realising our enormous and exciting further potential as a place.
"Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc is already the fastest-growing part of the country's fastest-growing regional economy, something we've been showcasing this week with investors. We have so much to be proud of across the area shortlisted to become one of the government's new towns, with our new Bristol Brabazon train station opening later this year, ahead of the new Aviva Arena.
"Working together, this part of the West of England - with the right transport investment to connect the Science Park, Bristol Parkway station, and Brabazon - can deliver 40,000 new homes and the same number of new jobs over the longer-term."
Pathway to a Mayoral Development Corporation
South Gloucestershire Council discussed options to support the delivery of the emerging new town earlier this month, with further consideration due at a meeting of the Mayor and council leaders on 5 June.
Mayors have held powers to establish MDCs since 2014, but the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act now grants these powers to all mayors by default. There are currently nine MDCs across England, including the London Legacy Development Corporation, which has overseen the regeneration of Stratford since the 2012 Olympic Games and delivered 12,000 new homes.
Elsewhere, MDCs and MDZs are being explored for major regeneration projects, including around Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.
Transport investment central to growth plans
The MDZ proposal aligns with the Mayor’s recently published Transport Vision for the West of England, which aims to reduce congestion, improve productivity, unlock new housing and cut pollution. In Bath and Bristol alone, congestion cost the economy more than £150 million last year.
Government, transport and business leaders have welcomed the region’s ambitions, which include improved bus and rail services, active travel, better streets and potential mass transit options. The Mayor has emphasised the importance of combining public and private investment to ensure transport infrastructure keeps pace with growth.
Image credit: iStock
