Stantec Appointed to Lead Tees Valley’s New Spatial Development Strategy

Stantec has been selected to spearhead the creation of the Tees Valley Combined Authority’s (TVCA) spatial development strategy, marking a significant step in regional planning. The global firm, known for its expertise in sustainable design, engineering, and environmental consulting, will act as the lead consultant within a broader team assembled to deliver this long-term framework.

Spatial development strategies (SDS) are comprehensive plans that look ahead at least two decades, setting out how regions will meet future housing demands, coordinate strategic infrastructure, foster economic growth, and enhance environmental resilience. The Tees Valley SDS is among the earliest formal commissions of this kind in England, positioning Stantec and its partners at the forefront of this emerging approach to regional planning.

The strategy will outline the evolution of Tees Valley and its communities, highlighting priority growth areas, infrastructure needs, and economic opportunities across the region. To ensure a well-rounded approach, Stantec has brought together a team with strong local expertise and national experience.

Supporting Stantec’s town planning and development specialists are national communications consultancy Camargue, which specialises in strategic stakeholder engagement; urban planning and design firm Prior + Partners, leading the digital plan-making efforts; commercial property consultants Montagu Evans; and Richard Wood Associates, contributing additional national strategic planning knowledge. This collaborative structure aims to combine technical excellence with accessible public engagement, addressing the complex challenges of the Tees Valley SDS.

The strategy’s development will involve an extensive public engagement programme, with all outputs made available to the community. This approach is designed to simplify complex planning issues and encourage meaningful input from stakeholders across the region. Consideration will be given to regeneration projects on key sites, including former industrial areas, alongside local housing and infrastructure requirements.

Stantec’s interdisciplinary capabilities span planning, economics, transport, utilities, climate change, and environmental assessment. This broad expertise enables a cohesive approach to strategic planning that balances infrastructure development with environmental protection, habitat regulations, and strategic environmental assessments.

Building on decades of experience in the region, including projects in energy, water, transport, planning, and community development, Stantec’s Darlington office will facilitate close collaboration with local stakeholders while leveraging the firm’s national resources.

“The Tees Valley presents a distinctive set of opportunities and challenges, and this strategy will support the region’s economic transition. We’ll focus on accelerating key growth areas such as advanced manufacturing, energy, and emerging digital sectors,” said Nancy MacDonald, Stantec’s regional business leader for Infrastructure in the UK and Ireland.

She added, “Our team understands the importance of this opportunity to shape the future of the region but also the need to bring local people with us on this journey. We want to make sure this plan takes advantage of new industries, connects its communities so they can really thrive, and is able to pair housing provision with aspirational economic development goals. We are all incredibly excited to demonstrate our people-focused approach to strategic planning and positive community development with this SDS.”