The chairman of urban regeneration company Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation has dedicated the past five years to regeneration projects in Thurrock.

But Will McKee will bear the title of chairman for only 12 more months. As part of the government’s operational efficiency programme, announced in January, the corporation will become a part of the Homes and Communities Agency in April 2011.

All three urban regeneration companies in the Thames Gateway will be overhauled.

McKee says the restructuring should not change the responsibilities of the 40 staff working at the corporation, including his own.

“We hope it will be business as usual. We expect a high degree of operational autonomy, so that the move does not interfere or interrupt the momentum of projects under way,” he says.

“We will have the same statutory powers that will allow us to consider planning applications and issue compulsory purchase orders. Nothing changes, except for the face on the flag outside.”

He adds that it wants to continue to capitalise on a hard-earned local reputation among development and investment partners. Since its launch in 2005, the company has completed regeneration projects in Thurrock such as the 300,000 sq ft Thurrock Learning Campus in Grays. Work has begun on the £60m Royal Opera House Production Park, which will have a 30,750 sq ft building for the National Skills Academy.

The regeneration of Purfleet (pictured, above) is under way, and 75 acres of land has been assembled around the Town Centre and riverside. The corporation tendered for a developer in October.

“By 31 March, we will have assembled half of the 150 acre regeneration site around Purfleet town centre, and by the end of the year, we will select a development partner for the £600m project,” says McKee. He adds that the corporation was originally set up as a limited lifespan company to begin regeneration projects. But being part of the Homes and Communities Agency will ensure it can continue with long-term projects such as Purfleet.

“The point is that the day when we finally pack up and go away for ever, the projects continue to thrive without the need for public intervention.”

• Thurrock development body to escape axe
• Economic development body Hull Forward to close
• Watchdog MP slams Labour regen “daydream”
• Boris HCA plans breach mayoral role, councils warned
• Thames Gateway approves Tesco mixed-use scheme