The impact of the capital projects
19. Many millennium projects were designed to revitalise
poorer, often former industrial or waterfront, areas of major
cities and towns. The significant impact that the projects have
made in areas throughout the United Kingdom was praised by Mr
Smith, who has said that projects were "providing new community
facilities, cultural and education resources, improved public
spaces and boosted economies".[64]
That was supported by Ms Thomas, who said that the @Bristol project
was a symbol of regeneration in the Bristol area and had "acted
as a catalyst for private sector development".[65]
Both Mr Brian Bassett, Director of Finance and Operations, the
National Botanic Garden of Wales, and Ms Thomas, believed that
the regeneration effects of the projects had inspired confidence
in them in their local communities.[66]
20. Some projects have acted as a catalyst for job
creation and private-sector development. There has been a construction
boom on formerly derelict land around the site of @Bristol.[67]
In Northern Ireland, Odyssey—an education, entertainment
and sporting facility—has formed the core of the regeneration
and investment strategy for the future of Belfast.[68]
Mr Stoneham said that the project had given a welcome confidence
boost to an area that had "faced years of decline in the
dockyards". He said that people recognised the project as
"a symbol of regeneration and reality".[69]
Mr Smith cited the example of the regenerative impact of the Lowry
Centre in Salford, where he said that commercial redevelopment
worth £70 million or £80 million "would not have
happened at all if it had not been for the presence of the Lowry
Centre".[70]
Mr Smith told us that the Millennium Commission was preparing
to publish a "proper economic assessment" of the major
projects.[71]
21. There was clearly a demand for regeneration
in many of the areas of the country that received funding for
a major project and there have been regeneration benefits in the
case of some projects. However, it is too early to tell whether
all the major projects will prove to be as effective as hoped
in both meeting local need and in serving as effective catalysts
for regeneration. We welcome the Millennium Commission's decision
to commission a study into the economic impact of its major capital
projects. We recommend that in due course that examination should
be expanded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to
consider the wider need for and regenerative and employment impact
of cultural and sporting capital projects.
64 HC Deb, 12 June 2000, col 630. Back
65 Evidence,
p 20. Back
66 Q
130. Back
67 Evidence,
p 20. Back
68 Evidence,
p 158. Back
69 Q
131. Back
70 Q
444. Back
71 Q
445. Back
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